We set up Good News Club at the elementary school as they announced the results of the student council election. And there were cheers. And tears. Accolades and best wishes. Condolences and hugs. It's great to win. And it's rough to lose.
We had at least two defeated candidates in club and God had planned the perfect verse, "Be content with what you have, for God has said, 'I will never leave you.'" It was hard to speak in the face of pain, tears and disappointment, but the gospel is always good news.
The gospel says, "God loved me so much He gave His best, His only, as a sacrifice for me." And as we learned the verse together and prayed, asking God to give us contentment, I had to admit that there are some things in my life that cause me to think, "If only I had ( ), my life would be better."
The kids shared their if-only's: the DX-MX454 (or whatever the newest gadget is), an ipad, an ipod, an iphone, a better friend, a bigger family, and the list went on. But when we looked at the life of King Ahab, we saw the path of wanting what God has not given: death and destruction.
If I really, truly believe God is God and He loves me, I will trust Him to provide what is best. I can trust Him to provide what I need. And I will be content--satisfied with my job, my home, my car, my body, my children, my church.... When I have a need, I will ask God and wait. And I will wait with hope and anticipation, knowing that whatever He chooses is best.
This morning that message still rang in my head as David and I read from Psalms. When it was my turn to pray, I asked God to make me more grateful. My stinky self is never grateful, never satisfied, but God.... God is within, doing His supernatural work. Then, as I sorted clothes for the washing machine, I was surprised to hear myself say, "Thank you, God, for the children that wear these clothes. Thank you for the privilege of knowing them and being part of their lives. Thank you for the gifts you've given them and the gifts they are to me." And I knew God had answered my prayer.
We had at least two defeated candidates in club and God had planned the perfect verse, "Be content with what you have, for God has said, 'I will never leave you.'" It was hard to speak in the face of pain, tears and disappointment, but the gospel is always good news.
The gospel says, "God loved me so much He gave His best, His only, as a sacrifice for me." And as we learned the verse together and prayed, asking God to give us contentment, I had to admit that there are some things in my life that cause me to think, "If only I had ( ), my life would be better."
The kids shared their if-only's: the DX-MX454 (or whatever the newest gadget is), an ipad, an ipod, an iphone, a better friend, a bigger family, and the list went on. But when we looked at the life of King Ahab, we saw the path of wanting what God has not given: death and destruction.
If I really, truly believe God is God and He loves me, I will trust Him to provide what is best. I can trust Him to provide what I need. And I will be content--satisfied with my job, my home, my car, my body, my children, my church.... When I have a need, I will ask God and wait. And I will wait with hope and anticipation, knowing that whatever He chooses is best.
This morning that message still rang in my head as David and I read from Psalms. When it was my turn to pray, I asked God to make me more grateful. My stinky self is never grateful, never satisfied, but God.... God is within, doing His supernatural work. Then, as I sorted clothes for the washing machine, I was surprised to hear myself say, "Thank you, God, for the children that wear these clothes. Thank you for the privilege of knowing them and being part of their lives. Thank you for the gifts you've given them and the gifts they are to me." And I knew God had answered my prayer.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I'd love to hear from you! Please share your experiences, thoughts, questions or comments. Thanks for stopping by.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.