Hello, friends! I’ll be spending the next few weeks on limited media time, practicing what I preach by pouring extra love and attention into my family while summer is still in the air. Today’s post is an encore presentation, brought to you from the Time Out archives. I’ll be sharing some old favorites this month while I slurp popsicles and leap through the sprinkler with my girls. Thank you so much for reading and joining me on the mom journey with Christ as our guide. Blessings from my household to yours!
I often wonder how my toddler’s mind works. And then I realize—it’s a lot like mine.
“Mommy, I have a good idea!” My daughter’s eyes sparkle, lit from a mysterious place deep inside her brain. Typically what follows is some sweet desire of her two-year-old heart, like, “I can wear my purple socks!”
Or. . .
“Mommy, I have a good idea! We can go to the park!”
Or. . .
“Mommy, I have a good idea! You can rock in my chair and I will go to sleep! I promise!”
When her idea seems reasonable, I acquiesce. Why not, eh? Initiative and creativity are traits worth encouraging. The little lady knows what she wants, and that’ll take her far in life.
But sometimes my daughter’s requests aren’t so healthy, and Mommy has to decline.
“Mommy, I have a good idea! I can eat pudding for supper!”
“No, sweetheart,” I crooned. “You need to eat your broccoli first.”
“No, Mommy.” She batted her eyelashes. “I really want pudding. It’s such a good idea!”
“Sorry, sweetie. Broccoli is better for you.”
“Hmmpf! No! I want pudding!” She stuck her thumbs in her armpits and scrunched her lips. I raised my eyebrows and opened wide for another forkful of my own broccoli.
Too bad, kid. Sometimes I just know better than you.
God says that to me on a regular basis.
“Hey, Lord, I have a good idea! You should bring us sunshine for our picnic on Saturday. No rain, okay?”
“Lord, I have such a good idea! You can give my husband a big fat raise, and I can stop clipping coupons!”
“I know, Lord, how about this. You take away my child’s fear of the dark, and the whole family can sleep again! Isn’t that a great idea?”
As if God is my short-order cook. I rattle off prayers according to my appetite du jour, and the Lord of the universe is supposed to whip up blessings like they’re a plateful of fluffy pancakes.
But sometimes, he gives me broccoli.
“Uh, Lord? What’s the deal? Didn’t I ask for pancakes?”
Eat up, kid, he tells me. Sometimes I just know better than you.
How do you respond when God doesn’t give you what you ask for? If you’re like me, you pout. Worry. Cry. Argue. Get mad at God. Cross your arms and scowl in true toddler fashion.
Maybe you even start to doubt God’s goodness.
“Lord, if you love me, why won’t you just give me the pancakes?! It’s such a good idea!”
Yes, my child. I do love you. And that’s exactly why I’m giving you the broccoli.
Trust me.
“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:9–11, NLT).
“Mommy, why can’t I have pudding?” Still holding her arms tight to her chest, my daughter lifted her feet and kicked her booster seat in protest.
“Because,” I explained, “it’s not time for pudding yet. I know broccoli seems yucky, but it makes you stronger on the inside. Pudding is a reward for eating your broccoli.”
Ahhhh.
Out of the mouths of moms.
I get it, Lord.
{… Sigh …}
Thanks for the broccoli. Now maybe you could help me convince my toddler—sometimes there’s a better idea.
Blessings,
Becky