Sometimes I bribe my kids. (Unashamed.) Most recently, I bribed my daughter. She sucks her thumb. But she’s seven. It’s time to lay it down. Lay. It. Down.
After leaving her most recent dentist appointment with a orthodontist referral in hand, she decided (“for real this time”) that she wanted to quit.
Her daddy — my man — was a thumb-sucking addict as a lad. So per his expertise advise, she started wearing a glove to bed. With slight gnashing of teeth, she successfully drifted to sleep for a whole week without the thumb.
And yes, I bribed her to do it.
I told her that if she could go a week without any thumb-sucking I would gladly get her a special treat. Last Saturday morning she came running into the kitchen excited, “Mommy it’s been a week! I get a treat, right?!” Just before I could get a word out of my mouth about the humongo treat I had in mind, she said, “So can I have a piece of candy?”
flickr photo credit: flora soos
A piece of candy?! I was about to reveal my plan for a spa day with a possible trip to Aruba in her future. (OK, a bit of an exaggeration.) But a piece of candy?!
“Uh. Sure. Have a piece of candy.”
I never told her my bigger plan. I just let her settle. Can you see where I’m going with this?
I started thinking about how often I do that same thing with God. I have the perfect “treat” in mind, the thing that would bless me the most — like a piece of candy — while He has tropical locations planned.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
God has good things for us as His children. His plans often include some shedding of needful things — which mean pruning and breaking (Prov. 3:11-12) — but He faithfully works beauty and abundance into our souls if we allow Him. If we believe Him. (Heb. 11:6)
Jesus’ prayer so richly captures the kind of faith that brings His greatest blessing, “Father…Your will be done.” (Matt. 6:9-15) Your will be done. Resting there, trusting His plans, brings solid footing.
We all have times in our lives where we’ve settled. All of us. Because we’re human. But that doesn’t mean that we dig a hole and crawl into it. Our God is always grace. He’s bigger than our distrust. He forgives. He restores. He moves in spite of us.
So today I choose to believe Him to do what’s best. Discipline and all. Your will be done.
Fill me, Lord…
How have you settled in your own life?
How does it make you feel to pray the way Jesus prayed?
Fabulous post! How often I forget how much bigger God’s plan is for me! Also, whenever I see Jeremiah 29:11, I have to remember that God said this to the Israelites right before telling them that he WASN’T going to take them out of EXILE (what they wanted). He wanted them to hunker down in captivity, plant gardens, have babies, and ‘get over’ their notion of what His plan should be. For 70 more years! His better, bigger plan can take place right in the midst of our distrust, as you say. Can God really give me a hope and a future here in ‘captivity’? Thanks for reminding me not to settle for candy.
Katrina, thank you for mentioning the context. So often we think His good means our comfort. But often His best means our pruning. And it hurts at times. But I can honestly say that I wouldn’t trade my deepest valleys because the work He does “through” the suffering is priceless.
I love the visuals you create in your writing! We had a rough, running-behind morning so this was a much needed laugh! I know that I need to be more strict & consistent in my prayer life. I am at the point where I get excited talking about God to other people. It’s all good!
We need that quiet alone with Him, don’t we. To talk and listen and glean from Him. He does have good things for His children. Blessings, sister.
plan A is always more than we could ever ask or imagine! And yet we settle and are often even satisfied with plan B…candy. We, like your daughter, tend to speak first before listening to the Father and His plan.
terrific, thought provoking post…as usual. 🙂
Ugh, how often have I spoken before listening. Such a good reminder, Kelli. Thank you!
So beautiful! And Aruba? Nice place. LOL But seriously, you are so right. I am reading “Forgotten God” by Francis Chan and he speaks of the same thing. We expect too little from God, don’t expect him to want to give us good things. Great things. Life-changing things! This was the perfect start to my day, my friend. xoxo
You know I was thinking of you when I wrote that! I haven’t read that but it sounds Iike it needs to be my next read. I love the way Francis Chan presses into the Lord. Miss our chats!
Beautiful post! When I pray like my Lord, I feel light (burden free) and lifted high (soaring in His freedom)!
Me too, Tamika. It is freeing when we let life go, trusting in His faithful provision. Blessings.
Great post Lara!
Ephesians 3:20 came to mind after reading this post:
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
I don’t dream nearly as big as what the Lord is capable of!