Lessons from a Two Year Old: Are you okay, Papa?
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I was in the kitchen with my two year old grandson making cookies. Things were not going smoothly. I dropped an opened box of baking soda over the top of the stove and onto the floor. Then after cleaning that up, I stubbed my toe on a chair.
When I stubbed my toe, my grandson asked, “Are you okay Papa?” I said, “No!” He repeated the question, “Are you okay Papa?” I repeated my response, “No!” After the third repetition of this dialogue, I realized that unless I said yes to his question, he would keep asking till I gave the answer he wanted. He seemed determined that I should be okay, as that was just the way it should be.
I think I also have this deep conviction inside that things should be okay. Just like my two year old grandson I find it hard to accept it when things are not okay with me or others. I want life to be okay! Life should be like math where 2 + 2 always equals 4.
Sometimes the math does not work. People have accidents, they get sick, do really bad things, hurt others and themselves. I want life to be okay but when it is not, I am much happier if I can accept the truth with an attitude of anticipation encouraged by Saint James.
“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way” (James 1:2-4 The Message).
** An article about trusting God in difficulty.
Questions: Do you trust God in times of difficulty? What steps do you need to take in order to be able to trust God for greater things?
About the Author Mike Woodard
yes i do trust God in the bad times. He has helped me through things i know i could not have made it through with out Him
And a little child shall lead them. My 30 year old daughter will go on Hospice soon and she has been carried by Jesus for over 14 years fighting NF2. She and Jesus have taught me things about faith, illness and pain that I didn’t think I could ever learn or understand. Two of her most special quotes: At a age two- instead of “pick me up” She would say “I want to HOLD YOU”!
When she was in the hospital- She would say- Mom go to sleep- Jesus has it covered- HE is up all night every night- And it will be OK and if NOT it will still be OK- Jesus Has ME- remember!
The link to the About the Author says it is invalid, just thought I would let you all know! BTW, I love reading ALL of these devotions when I get the chance to read em.
Thank you so much for this as I feel like it is really such a important message. I cannot count the times that I or another wonder where God is that He would let this happen or not happen. I really love how hard times,sad times and scary times are spoken of as a gift. It brings to mind the scripture where it talks about being tested and being more precious than gold. Adrienne, I pray that your needs will be met and I know that they will. He gives us what we need even if sometimes it is hard to recognize it. I suffered some devastating losses this past summer and my life will never be the same. But in my time of sadness and need I felt His love and comfort. I think that God really smiles when we, in the midst of hard times and tragedy, praise Him and commit ourselves and all our angst into His hands and out of ours.
Not sure what to think. For many years the Good Lord has helped me through difficult times.
However, I feel my faith is severely being tested right now.
We haven’t tithed in quite a while- I felt the need to start again- wrote a 10% check two weeks ago, and now we are in the red in our account- four checks bounced and we were hit with overdraft charges.
Yesterday our car died and it cost $432.00 for repairs- more than the amount I had hoped to use for Christmas.
Last week my husband found out that his job will be over on Dec. 31 when the store he works at will close its doors permanently.
So, do I trust God in times of difficulty?
Yes. I do feel that it will eventually all work out- but I do wish there was a little more money to be able to stop the bill collectors from calling EVERY DAY.
I LOVED the visual of this message….a grandPA baking cookies with a 2 year old – each learning from the other. I find cooking with my precious grandson has been one of the greatest learning experiences a grandparent can have. Bless the children and their messages!! Grandma
Great message! How often the Lord “speaks” thru the little children. Thank you for sharing it.