So tonight, in an incident with my 4 year old son, I had a snapshot of my life with the Lord over the last three years or so. We had some ice cream to give the children as dessert, but we require them to clean their plates before dessert is served. Tonight we decided not to tell them what the dessert was until it was time to bring it out. My son got done quickly so as to get the “prize”, and came to me to ask for his promised reward. His sister was not quite done, and there were some other reasons it wasn’t the right time to bring out the treats. The exchange went something like this:
Son: “Daddy, can I have my prize now?”
Daddy: “It’s not quite the right time buddy. Not just yet.”
Son, starting to cry and complain: “But I finished my food…”
Daddy, stopping the fussing in its tracks: “Now wait a minute, I just want you to wait patiently until I decide the time is right. We’ll bring out the good stuff in a minute.”
Son, still struggling to hold back the tears: “But how long do I have to wait?”
Daddy, starting to tear up himself because he sees the parallel to what God has been asking of him these last few years, and having compassion on the struggle within his son to wait: “Son, do you trust me?”
Son: “Yes.”
Daddy: “Do you believe me when I say that the good stuff is coming later?”
Son: “Yes”
Daddy, fighting back tears because he didn’t expect to be on the “Father” side of this discussion after so many times speaking like the “Son”, and also because his tears are causing more struggle in his boy: “All right, then I just need you to wait on me to decide when the time is right. It will be ok. I promise the good stuff is coming later.”
Son, finally submitting quietly, though still with tears in his eyes: “Yes, sir.”
And then of course this Daddy had to swallow the big old lump in his throat and compose himself. I realized I had just been given a mini-moment of understanding into the heart of God when he asks us to wait. There was no way for my son to really understand, even if I had told him, the nuances of reasoning that went into asking him to wait for his reward. He just simply had to trust me to make good on my promise, and to love him, and to know exactly when and where to bring out “the good stuff.”
And how much is that like what I have been dealing with God about. Asking me to wait on Him, with no hint or inclination that what I hope for will be realized any time soon. “But how long do I have to wait?” :o) He just says wait. But I think he knows what he is doing, and I trust him to be a good Father.
Thank the Lord that he is a better father than I am! And if I, “being evil, know how to give good gifts unto [my] children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Matt. 7:11
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pastormarkhaines
This is a powerful illustration, Jarod! Thank you for such an personal glimpse into both your family and your spiritual relationships. I needed to be reminded that “not now” does not mean “never.” Thanks again.
pastormarkhaines
Reblogged this on Q & A with Pastor Mark Haines and commented:
“Not now” does not mean “never.”
auntjoannh
Love this story! Isn’t it amazing how God uses His little babes to teach us such deep truth! I too have struggled to wait on the Lord at times in my life, but God has always been faithful to fulfill His promises to me! He will give you the “good stuff” for sure! Thank you for your sermonettes. Your writing always touches my heart. I am proud of you, nephew!
auntjoannh
Thank you for sharing your sermonettes! Your writing always touches my heart! It is for sure that God will give you the “good stuff” you are waiting for!!