Becky Kopitzke

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When God Doesn’t Give You What You Ask For

October 22, 2012

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.

If this post encouraged you, please pass it on. You might also like Life Is a Highway, It Hurts Because I Love You, and When You Want What They Have.

* * * * * * * *

Linking up with: The Better Mom, Playdates With God, Mommy Moments, Titus 2sdays, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Living Well Wednesdays, Grace at Home, Things I Can’t Say and Faithfully Parenting Fridays.

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Filed Under: Growing Pains, Parenting, Things I Learn from My Kids, Trusting God

Comments

  1. Ashley Ditto says

    October 22, 2012 at 7:22 pm

    Your posts truly help me Becky! Beautiful post

  2. Carrie says

    October 23, 2012 at 4:55 am

    Found this post through the Titus 2sdays Linkup. Such a great reminder that life needs to be about HIS will rather than my own. Thank you for sharing!

  3. Shell says

    October 24, 2012 at 3:43 pm

    Sometimes we have to accept that the no’s and not yet’s are for our own good.

  4. hilljean says

    October 24, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    Oh this hit home today! I need to just swallow the broccoli and put the pudding away for later 🙂

  5. Beth says

    October 24, 2012 at 4:54 pm

    You are learning so much from these precious little ones that God has given you, Becky. And passing along the many lessons to us as well. This speaks to me about an area that I am trying desperately to trust God to provide what He sees is best and not give in to what I feel is best. It’s a dying of my desires that I don’t necessarily enjoy, but I’m stretching toward His perfect because I’ve seen His faithfulness every time. Thanks so much for this encouragement, my friend!

    • Becky says

      October 25, 2012 at 6:29 pm

      So true, Beth – dying to our desires is not a fun process, is it? But it’s always best for us in the long run. Thank you for reading!

  6. Lacey_Renea says

    October 25, 2012 at 2:03 pm

    Wow, I’m really loving this post! I can relate because I know how I feel when my children try to talk me into one of their “ideas.” I never thought about how He would feel when I’m praying for/trying to talk Him into one of mine.

    Thank you.

    Lacey @ And They Call Me Mommy

    • Becky says

      October 25, 2012 at 6:32 pm

      Thank you for reading, Lacey! I’ve learned to pray more often for God’s will, whatever that is – because I suspect many of my “ideas” may not actually be what’s best for me. Heaven help us if He always gives us what we ask for!

  7. Laura Boggess says

    October 25, 2012 at 4:56 pm

    Hah! I’ve had a few temper tantrums of my own when given broccoli. Good words here, friend. Trusting in Gods goodness and love is always best.

    • Becky says

      October 25, 2012 at 6:32 pm

      Indeed, Laura! Open wide for that broccoli…

  8. Laura S. says

    October 26, 2012 at 10:23 am

    Another great post, Becky! Trusting God, even if we DISLIKE broccoli or liver or whatever seemingly unpleasant challenge He has placed before us.

  9. Kathy Olson says

    October 26, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    I always enjoy reading what you write:)

  10. The Not Quite Military Wife says

    October 28, 2012 at 12:18 am

    This is such a beautiful post. So great to remember that he is not our “short order” cook!! Thanks for linking up for Mommy Moments!
    TheNotQuiteMilitaryWife.blogspot.com

  11. Richella says

    October 31, 2012 at 6:31 pm

    Yeah, we don’t necessarily want to eat the broccoli. But that doesn’t mean that it’s not the best thing for us!

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  1. Love Your Kids. That Is All. says:
    May 12, 2016 at 6:44 pm

    […] as the child who would waste a perfectly good plate of vegetables then ask for ice cream before […]

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If you love your kids but you sometimes forget to feed them lunch, if you're crazy about your husband but some days you want to set his hunting gear on fire, and if you adore Jesus with your whole heart yet you mess up time and time again, then you and I are friends already.

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