I was watching my friends interact with their little one yesterday. She had done something good, something she gets rewarded for with a small treat. Ok, she used the potty! This is a big accomplishment in the world of wee ones and she expected her reward for a job well-done. She did what was asked of her. She was promised a goodie when she obeyed and worked hard. Imagine her disappointment when her daddy said “no”. She was hurt. She was shocked. She was puzzled. Didn’t she do a good job? Didn’t she do what was asked of her? She did. But you see, her daddy had something better in mind. He knew something that she didn’t. He knew they were leaving the house for a two-minute ride to see my son and his daddy. They were getting dinner at a favorite restaurant AND ice cream after. Her treat would have ruined her appetite and she would not have enjoyed her dinner and ice cream as much as if she had the reward she expected. What her little mind couldn’t grasp is that in a very short time her reward was going to be much greater than the one she first expected. MY little mind can’t grasp this sometimes either. When I work hard, I want my reward. When I do the “right thing”, I want it to be recognized. I want these things from my Father. Not the man whose DNA I share, but my heavenly Father. Sometimes when I feel like I am doing the things the Lord asks of me, when I am praying and listening…I want the good I have been promised. I want it now. Let’s face it we are an instant gratification society. I don’t like it anymore than the next gal, but it is what it is. I want to SEE my prize…just give me the good stuff. Funny how a little girl using the potty can put it all in perspective for me. I realized that even though I did a good deed, even though I worked hard…my reward may be delayed. It is not because of me, it is because my Father has something better in mind. My father knows something I don’t…and it just may be closer than I think. So today I learned a great lesson from one of my favorite little gals, sometimes we just have to wait.
your blog had me thinking too! oftentimes i have thought, “well, if God would just tell me what those better plans are, I wouldn’t have a fit when he said no…” (or ruminate on things, to be honest) but this story made me consider a different train of thought. God wants to surprise us! God wants to see our excitement when we finally realize His prize. and if we know what it’s already going to be, we won’t be excited, we’ll be expectant. no one likes a person who’s expectant, because then the gift receiver always builds up the prize to sometimes unachievable proportions and is then disappointed when the gift doesn’t live up to expectations. but if we don’t know the prize, oh how much sweeter is our reward! God is amazing and He has plans for us all. we need to sit back and allow God the joy of giving us His plans, rewards, promises, and awesome future. …without the heartache of always worrying what it’s going to be, or having a fit when OUR desires are denied. we can’t see the proverbial forest through the trees, and God *always* knows what’s best for us!
Very true! Worry is so senseless anyway. It doesn’t help that is for sure. And, who doesn’t love a good surprise?!
Awesome! I think I am impatient to the 100th power! I have always wanted my reward A.S. A. P. and I’m disappointed when things don’t work out that way. I, like you, can stand to learn a lesson from this little one…
Thank you!!
This is so true…; ) Thanks for sharing… I am going through this right now.
Thank you for reading! I will pray for you.