Something Yummy

It's not like there is a 'yummy' food aisle in the supermarket where I can go and get all the ingredients to appease my teenager's appetite.

Lamentations 5:1-22

Reference:  v.4 We must buy the water we drink; our wood can be had only at a price. (NIV Bible)

Explore:  I will often consult my family when planning the evening meals for the week.  I'll ask them if they have any suggestions of what they would like me to cook for dinner.  The common answer from my 16-year-old is, 'Something yummy.'  This answer does not help me at all!  It's not like it is my intention to serve her something that is distasteful.  But worst of all it does not help me discern what to cook.  It's not like there is a 'yummy' food aisle in the supermarket where I can go and get all the ingredients to appease my teenager's appetite.  She has not given me any suggestions so I have little idea of what she would class as 'yummy' for this week.  My husband, who has been asked this question for more years than our daughter, has wisened up to this question.  When I ask him if he has any suggestions of what he would like for dinner he will give me a list of two or three things that he would be happy to eat.  I then go through the list and choose one or two that would be suit our week's menu.  I wont always choose all his suggestions but at least I have a clear idea of what he would be happy with.

Application:  When we come to God in prayer we can often sound more like my daughter than my husband.  I know that when I'm going through a difficult time I can often just voice my feelings to God.  I'm angry about this; I'm hurt about that; I'm frustrated with this person; I'm worried about that person.  It's good to share my feelings with God but it's also important to share with Him what would be the best solution that I can see.  That way we're not just voicing our current concerns but also looking at our hopes for the future.  It's not like we can lock God in to what we think is best, God still has control – just like I still have control over the cooking.  My husband can suggest a meal but it's still up to me to decide what suggestions I'll take on board.  But when we think clearly about our hopes for the future it can help us to start taking the next step towards looking for a solution.  That way, when God does answer our prayer we are able to see more clearly what He has done.  And often I will realise how God's way foreward was so much better than what I had in mind.  

Prayer:  What is something that you need to pray about today?  Share your feelings with God but also pray about your hopes for how your situation could change.