The other day during lunch, I swung by McDonald’s for a quick bite (no judging please). As I started to walk to my seat, I noticed a girl glued to the display case where that week’s toys were showcased. The girl, probably around the age of 7 or so, was mesmerized by all the dolls smiling at her.
After staring down the toys, she went straight to her dad who was on the line and began declaring, “A Happy Meal. I want a Happy Meal. Pleeease. I want a Happy Meal. Pleeease.”
Her dad calmly said yes, but she was so busy begging that she didn’t hear him. She made one final plea, “Pleeease, a Happy Meal.” Then it must have dawned on her that he had already agreed to her request. Finally, there was silence.
It’s easy for us to feel aghast over how she reacted, but if we’re really honest aren’t we all guilty of sometimes acting that way with our Heavenly Father? We get enthralled by something and get fixated on it. We go to God and in essence whine just like that little girl. “Pleeease God. I waaant, this…. Pleeease…”
It’s ok to say, “Ouch,” and then, “Amen.”
Yes, I’m thankful that we can go to God with any request we have. And I’m so thankful that He is patient with us. But next time we’re obsessing over our petitions and laying out suggestions (or demands) for how we think God should answer our prayers, let’s stop and remember to worship the Giver and not the gifts!
Our Heavenly Father knows what we need before we even ask. And He knows how to give good gifts. Next time you catch yourself focused just on that “Happy Meal” and perhaps whining like a little kid, I hope you’ll take a moment to stop begging and start thanking and praising God instead.
Who knows, if we stop and listen to what God is saying to us we might be surprised to hear that He’s already said, “Yes,” to our request.
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:13-15)
I hope you were encouraged. Feel free to leave a comment below.
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