Can I Have This

It usually only takes 6.7 seconds before I hear the dreaded sentence

Psalm 68:1-35

Reference: v.6 God sets the lonely in families,
he leads out the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. (TNIV Bible)

Explore: I always like to do my grocery shopping on my own.  I know I’m not being very communal or educational but it is so much quicker and easier to go shopping when I’m alone.  There are times however when my daughter will want to come along too.  I take a deep breath in and start moving through the supermarket aisles.  It usually only takes 6.7 seconds before I hear the dreaded sentence, “Can I have this?”  I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter how many times I say ‘no’ or how many times I say ‘yes’ that question still raises it’s ugly head at least 2 times per aisle!  Part of me would love to say yes every single time, however I know that that is not what is best for my daughter or for our family’s budget.  So I have learned a new response.  As soon as that question is asked I’ll say, “You are allowed to buy one thing.  You can choose what it is but you can only choose one.”  The question still gets raised as we walk down every aisle but at least I can stick to my rehearsed response!

Application: I find that my prayers to God are often the same as my daughter’s supermarket question, “Can I have this?… Can I have this?… Can I have this?”  All my requests are not necessarily good for me but, like a child, I’ll ask anyway.  God is like a good parent, He will hear our requests but He knows what is best for us.  While there are many things we would like He knows what we truly need and He responds with such a generosity that is beyond our understanding.

Prayer: Lord, you truly know what is best for us.  Open our eyes to your understanding so that we too can see what would benefit us most.  Amen.

What would you like to ask of God today?

family, prayer, Psalm