As I’ve said before, one of the clearest metaphors of God’s love for us lies in the complicated love of a parent for a child. A parent “falls in love” with the child but quickly discovers that it’s not only impossible, but also imprudent to give the child whatever she wants.
No parent likes disappointing a child. Jesus acknowledges this in the Sermon on the Mount: “If [your child] asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing” (Matthew 7:10-11 The Message).
But children learn quickly enough to ask for things we either can’t or shouldn’t give them. It’s challenging for a parent to field these annoying bids for inappropriate attention. Often, we lean to one extreme or another: we either “indulge” (give the cookie to stop the nagging) or “forbid” (yell at the child to stop asking) the child’s request. But both responses end up damaging our relationship. If we spoil the youngster, he learns to manipulate; if we berate her, she’s enticed to seek power over others. In either case, the child reads in our impatience that our love comes with strings attached.
Parenting advice for these circumstances offers a third way: you ignore and/or divert the clamor for notice but follow up the incident when the child is calm with the gift of unasked-for attention.
I have experienced God using this technique with me. No matter how many times I pray – often for the same things – the Lord never snaps at me! Instead of calling it nagging, God congratulates this as persistence (Luke 18:6-8). On the other hand, the Lord never panders to my whims. How many times have I begged for what seemed like a good outcome to me, only to discover the divine plan far exceeded my best hopes.
Still there are times when God says no. How much better for us if we could appreciate these closed doors from the perspective of a parent rather than the pouting child? When God tactfully ignores my pleas, the Lord never ignores me. If I make myself alert to the divine presence, I begin to see God walking around with me, granting me havens amid setbacks, all the while demonstrating to me that no matter what mistakes I make, and how long it takes me to learn certain lessons, the Lord has my back and I belong to God.
This is better than anything else I could want!
For updates on my book, or more information about me, continue to check back to this blog! I will also be frequently updating my Facebook Author page, as well my twitter account, @AuthorMcNabb, and my LinkedIn account, Katie McNabb.
2 Responses to What Do You Want?