Larry and I are taking care of our 4 1/2 year-old grandson, Raffi, and he really misses his mommy and daddy, but especially his mommy. This is actually his first time with us babysitting for an extended four days. Raffi especially misses her at bedtime because then there are no toys or activities to distract him. So this evening as I put him into bed, at first he refused to pray. He wanted his mommy! Then after little bouts of crying, I heard him mumble, “Bring mommy back…please…please…please.” Then I heard his pitiful little voice say, “I prayed to Jesus He would bring her back.”
Oh, my heart went out to him. Such a need. He feels like it’s the most horrible thing imaginable that his mommy is not here. In fact, last night as Larry took care of him because I was out of town speaking, he lamented, “I’ll never see my mommy again.”
I couldn’t help but feel his pain, except in regards to some of my prayers to God for what I think I need and can’t imagine why He wouldn’t give it to me. I even say, “Please…please…please.” And it feels like I’ll never get what I want. “I’ll never see this prayer answered.”
And like Raffi, I can’t understand why God wouldn’t provide something which is obviously so good and needed. I’m sure he can’t understand why his mommy didn’t suddenly appear when he finished his lament. I could try to tell Raffi that it’s good for his mommy to have some time away and it’s good for him too. But I know he wouldn’t agree.
The application is obvious. God knows what’s best for you and I. If he delays or answers “no” then we must surrender. We may not understand His ways, but we can have the assurance He knows what He’s doing. Isaiah 55:8-9 always comes to mind on this topic:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts. (NASB)
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts. (NASB)
Raffi will again see his mommy on Monday evening and his joy will be boundless. You and I can trust that whatever God chooses for us will be fulfilled and our joy can also be boundless if we’ll put our faith in His wisdom.
Go ahead and plead, “Please…please…please,” but also say, “Thy will be done.”
I loved this one Kathy and what a sweet little boy! Great thoughts to start the day, especially when we feel that our prayers will never be answered. Thanks for always being a blessing to me:)