His Best Answers

Daily Gratitude Year 4-Day 282: Today, I am grateful for the times God answers our prayers with our eternal best in mind... and not always what our "in the moment" human heart it desires. 

There are so many times it is hard to see the hand of God because his ways are not our ways. His vision is so clear when ours is foggy at times. He knows us. Really knows us. For better and for worse, I suppose. His desire is a relationship with us. What keeps us close... and what gets in the way?

The waiting place and the place of "unanswered prayers" is difficult. But, these are the very spots where he can grow our hearts and clean out our closets. What things do I have gathered in my arms... things I hold on to so very tightly... that I don't have a hand left to reach out for His. 

His best answers seem crazy at times. Since not a one of us is the center of the universe... we must remember that he holds the world in balance... but still, sincerely, wants to be in relationship with us as individuals.  Yes, it is that crazy love that never lets go of us. That will boggle my mind for all of my earthly days... and maybe eternity.  

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.  The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.  Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;"  -Psalm 147:3-7a

His best answers seem strange at at times. Even wrong. Still - for those who claim our inheritance as his children, we can count on his hand and trust his heart. He didn't say it would always be easy. He did promise to never leave us or forsake us. 

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”-Deuteronomy 31:8

He goes before us. He goes with us. He won't leave us. We have nothing to fear. 

Earworm is pulling out a little Amy Grant from the the 1980's. Oldie but a goody.It was the lullaby of my teen years. It made me see the New Testament letters as "love letters". 

"We're just here to learn to love Him. We'll be home in just a little while.". Worth a listen. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY-k2hnIE7E 

The more we love him, the closer our desires align with His will. Our desires with his heart. 

The God who names the stars, knows us by names, too. He knows our needs better than we do. He took on human skin... and we were given human witness to his power, life and light in and through Jesus. He knows us and what we need... more than we understand. 

Today, I am grateful for the times God answers our prayers with our eternal best in mind... and not always what our "in the moment" human heart thinks it desires.