God’s Unhappy Children

I LOVE THE WAY EVERYDAY LIFE often allows us to peer into the more eternal truths of God.

When I was a new mother I remember one afternoon my two-month old baby fell asleep in my arms while I was nursing her. I was overjoyed to see her finally slumbering because our biggest struggle as new parents had been getting our newborn to sleep. The doctor had recently told me she was only getting about half the amount of sleep she needed, and I was concerned for her health.

After holding her a few minutes longer, I carried her into her bedroom and laid her down for a nap. Pulling the blanket over her small body, I tucked her in and smiled at the sweet face with eyes closed in sleep, peeking out from beneath the top of the blanket.

I sighed gratefully.

Fifteen minutes later I heard a wee cry and went to investigate.  She was awake.  I patted her, gently rocked her bassinet, and carefully placed the pacifier in her mouth.  However, increasingly irate because I was not picking her up and only patting her, she began to cry louder and louder, shaking her little head back and forth.

I tried to soothe her and spoke to her in my most understanding, new-motherly way.  “You need to sleep,” I said, “you desperately need more sleep. Mommy loves you and I’m right here, but you need to sleep.”

Of course, she could not understand my words.  She only knew that she wanted to be picked up, held, and loved, and this was not happening.  She was not getting what she wanted so she continued to knot up her little fists, kick at her blanket, and cry.

Later as I stood over the sink washing dishes and trying not to feel guilty about letting her cry, I thought about how my unhappy child was so like all of us. As God’s children we cry for Him to do something, and when he doesn’t do it the way we expect, we continue to cry out, ignorant of His presence beside us and all the while thinking He doesn’t care.  Even though He tries to calm and soothe us with Words of assurance, we don’t understand that what we want is not what He, in His sovereignty, knows is best for us at this time.  He asks us to dry our tears, to trust Him, and try to understand why He has put us where we are.  But we knot our fists and shake our head, questioning him again and again as to His indifference.

Isaiah 40:26-31 says:

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens; Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God?” Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

And Philippians 4:5-7 goes on to remind us:

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.