But God!?!

We all want our independence and freedom.

We all want to make our own choices and decisions.

We all want to be accepted for who we are, what we do, and who we spend time with.

And we all get mad at God when He doesn’t step in and stop bad things from happening.

We literally play Russian roulette with our lives – what we eat and drink, what we do, who we spend time with, how we drive, and a hundred more things each day.

But we expect God to stop the consequences.

And when He doesn’t?

We became angry 2 year olds, throwing a temper tantrum!

As parents and grandparents, we work hard to teach our kids and grandkids the good and right choices to make – and we work hard at protecting them from the not so good or right choices that they do make.

We guard them, love them, pray for them.

We set up boundaries, and perimeters.

We help them.

And then, there comes a point – that due to their stubbornness and willfulness, sadly . . . the only way they learn the lesson of obedience is by disobeying.

In those times of disobedience, we hope and pray they do not fall hard, and there is no permanent damage or injury.

Sometimes we are able to intervene and interfere enough to avoid tragedy.

In those times of learning lessons, we offer a shoulder to lean on, bandages for the hurts, and struggle greatly to NOT say, “I tried to tell you” . . .

In those times, we do not stop loving them – even with a hurting heart, and tears streaming down.

How do we as parents and grandparents know how to do this?

To love and raise our children?

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more your Father in Heaven . . .”

We scream for independence and free-will.

We scream when God gives just that.

We stomp our feet, with a hand on our hip, saying that we want it “our way” and in “our time”.

We raise our fists and rail against God Who allows us that.

“But God knows!”

Yes, He does.

But do we listen?

Do we trust Him?

Do we obey His Words?

“But God can change things!”

Yes, He can.

How many times does He, and we don’t realize it?

Ever have a flat tire or a car that wouldn’t start on at the wrong time, because you were busy and in a rush? Was He protecting you from an accident, or worse?

Ever forget something and had to go back in the house to get it, or turn around and go home for it?

What did those few moments of time cause you to miss?

Was God intervening?

Real life stories abound about a word spoken, a phone call received, an unusual meeting moment – divine appointments is what we called them.

When God stepped in and changed the course of the day, the week, our lives.

We don’t get it all.

That’s what surrender is all about.

Handing our free will choices and decisions over to God Who knows, Who sees, Who hears.

Trusting Him with all our hearts, our minds, our souls, our lives.

Leaning not on our own understandings.

In all our ways, seeking Him to lead us, to direct our steps, to order our paths.

And letting Him.

Then, even if . . .

Even if the dreams don’t come true –

Even if the healing doesn’t come –

Even if bad things happen –

God is still God.

And God is still good.