waiting for applesauce

I have learned the most about my relationship with God through the relationship I have with my children.

There are so many wonderful parallels: I am a child of God, they are my children. I love them with an intense and sacrificial love. He loves me with an intense and sacrificial love. I want only good things for them, but I also want them to develop good character, sometimes at the cost of their immediate happiness. The same is true of God’s desire for me.

Then there are the more difficult parallels: my children whine to me, I whine to God. My children get upset with me for things that are not my fault. They get impatient with me because they know what they want and when they want it. And the "when" is now. Right now.

And it is painful, because this is how I treat God.

The other morning, James wanted applesauce before breakfast. I told him to sit at the table and wait, and I would bring him the applesauce.

He sat. He watched me get out the applesauce.

“Mommy, I want some applesauce.”

“I know, James, you told me. And I will get it for you, just be patient.” I pour a little applesauce into the pancake batter I am making so I can finish it up and get some pancakes going on the griddle.

“Mommy, is that my applesauce?”

“No, James, I am putting some in the pancake batter. Hold on, just a second, I will get your applesauce.” I turn to pour some batter on the griddle.

“Mommy! My applesauce! You forgot! I want applesauce!”

Sigh. I am frustrated with him. Not because of the nagging or the impatience, really (I mean, he is three and it is first thing in the morning). But because I said I would give him applesauce. And I meant it. Does he not believe my words? Does he not trust what I say?

But I do this to God all the time.

The truth is, we are all waiting for something. The promotion. The car. The house to sell. The positive pregnancy test. The diagnosis. The proposal. The call. The restoration of a relationship. The chance to take a vacation. The chance to take a rest. Whatever. We are waiting.

And we are not quite sure that God remembers: “God! Hello! Remember me down here?! I keep praying, and I think you may have forgotten about my request!”

James did get his applesauce that morning. And pancakes with maple syrup. But the scene played out again about a week later. This time I went to pour his applesauce, and noticed a thick ring of black around the inside of the bottle.

“No applesauce today, buddy, it’s gone bad.”

“What!? Why!? But I want applesauce!”

I didn’t give it to him because I knew it was bad for him. It would have made him sick.

I knew I could get more applesauce at the store later, and he could have some in the future. I knew that our fridge was stocked with many other things that would be good for him. I would not let him starve. He just couldn't have any applesauce at that time.

God knows what is good for us, even when we think we know better.

The problem isn't really patience, it's trust. Do we trust God enough to believe that He has heard our requests and will do what is best for us?

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: 

that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 

And if we know that He hears us- whatever we ask- 

we know that we have what we asked of Him."

-1 John 5:14&15

Let us approach with confidence, knowing He will answer in the best way: according to His good and perfect will.