Heart Shift and Motherhood: Finding God's Extra in the OrdinarySample

Gratitude

As God has been teaching me about humility, He has been ironically using the most humble sources, like children’s books, or simple objects to teach me the spiritual lessons I need for growth in this season. It’s comical that as I strive and pray for spiritual maturity, He has been continually taking me back to the basics, in a childlike way. From that lowly position, the Holy Spirit spoke to me the other day through my son’s sippy cup. Yes, you read that correctly - my profound spiritual truth for the week came from a sippy cup!

At some point in the day, my toddler said he was thirsty and asked for some water. When I brought it to him in his brand new, colorful, non-spill sippy cup, he had a sour look on his face. Immediately he complained that it wasn’t in the specific cup that he wanted. I gently explained that we would be going outside soon and that he would need a non-spill container to bring along. Nope, that didn’t satisfy him. He was still disappointed and kept complaining that he wanted the other cup. He didn’t even say thank you. He didn’t understand that I knew the plans for our day, and I knew what he would need. Why couldn’t he be polite and listen and trust that I knew what he needed? Feeling indignant, I chastised his bad attitude and insisted he say thank you and apologize.

While I was still in the middle of my disciplinarian huff, I heard the Holy Spirit’s still small voice so clearly: “That’s how you act when I answer your prayers differently than you want or expect. Just like your son, you have to learn to trust that I know what’s coming and what is best for you. Trust that I know what you need not just what you want. Trust that I know and will give you what you need. Accept it with gratitude. Then I can help you avoid the messes that would most certainly occur if I only gave you what you want.”

In many ways, I’m still a four-year-old. I still make requests of my Heavenly Father and then throw a little fit if I don’t get what I want, or He doesn’t do it how I pictured. Thus, with all of my striving for spiritual growth and maturity, I’m still learning the basics: Humility. Gratitude. Trust.

Reflect:

Has God answered your prayers but in unexpected ways? How did you respond?

Let's Pray:

Lord, I thank you that you know my needs hear my prayers before I even ask them. You are a good Father. Help me to trust that You know what is best for my life and accept your provision with gratitude.