Today’s Post By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
When our kids were little it seemed every Christmas ushered in new excitement and expectancy over a particular toy. Of course it was the same toy all kids wanted for Christmas, and because the item was so popular, and on every child’s wish list, it was always hard to find. Like every other parent, my husband and I searched high and low, hoping to surprise our children with that special something under the tree.
Every once in a while our kids asked for a toy that my husband and I didn’t believe they should have. We tried to discourage them from wanting it, but they still had great expectations that Santa might bring it anyway.
One of my favorite Christmas movies is The Christmas Story. Ralphie, the main character of the movie, is a little boy who desperately wants a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas. Unfortunately, Ralphie’s parents don’t like the idea of their young son playing with a BB gun. They reason with Ralphie he might get hurt. As a last ditch effort, Ralphie makes his desperate plea to the department store Santa, confident this will ensure his Red Rider will be under the Christmas tree. Regrettably, Santa’s response echoes his parents… “No way, kid! You’ll shoot your eye out!”
Christmas morning comes, and all the presents are opened. Ralphie’s long face says it all… he’s terribly disappointed. He didn’t get his long awaited firearm.
With a twinkle in his eye, Ralphie’s father points to a single present across the room that seems to have been missed. As Ralphie’s parents look on, the boy rips open the long rectangular box, and to his utter delight, he beholds the coveted Red Rider BB gun. The joyful look on his parent’s face while they watch Ralphie’s excitement is priceless.
I think the closest we can come to understanding God’s love for us is to look at the relationship between parent and child. Just as we want to provide the very best for our children, God wants to provide the very best for us. Just as we want to give good gifts to our sons and daughters, God wants to pour out His gifts and blessings on our lives.
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)
When we pray to our Heavenly Father, petitioning our hopes and dreams, God hears our desperate pleas and wants to bless. But just like any good father, God knows what’s truly best for each of us. I’ve heard it said that God answers prayers in three different ways:
YES
NOT YET
I HAVE SOMETHING BETTER
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)
Go ahead… present your requests before God, and rest assured that He hears your prayers. But understand this. If God says no, it’s because He has something better.
“In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:3)