“You have to thank God for the seemingly good and the seemingly bad because really, you don’t know the difference.” [Pg 59] This is a child’s wish list, and if these things came about, well, they would be awesome and exactly what this little one had wished for. As adults we know in life there is also a list called: My Not-Wished-For List. I remember when I used to make wish lists as a little girl. I had a list for what I wanted to be when I grew up. A list for what I would like to look like (noting that any shape would be good after having none for so long). Well, I didn't get many of those wishes when I was little. Wish lists today are more complicated. Although shorter, they're complex in their desires and reasonings. They revolve around things like joy and health, nearness to my family and time ~ time here to watch the littlest ones in our family grow up. Today I don’t go around wishing bad things for myself, however, being a student of life and spirituality I have found that many things I didn’t wish for in my life (which I TOTALLY GOT) have in fact, turned out to be some of the best things that ever happened to me. Go figure. Jenni writes, "You have to thank God for the seemingly good and the seemingly bad because really, you don’t know the difference." Just like my lists as a little girl those things I think I can't live without today may NOT end up being the very best for me. Are we supposed to be happy about the not-wished-for things that God allows? Jenni sums it up: It's not about the 'good' or the 'bad' things in our life, it's about being so in love with God, so submitted that 'anything' God wants for us is on our wish list. At the same time God gives us courage, and wisdom, and endurance, and hope showing us just how much we can be when we set Him first. Do you have a Not-Wished-For list? What would be on it? What things on that list would you now willingly admit were for your good? ~Andi
1 Comment
Garyanna
10/29/2016 01:10:06 pm
I remember Pastor John saying once in a sermon; "A blessing is something that brings you closer to God". When I think about the times I have been really close to God they were during demanding, challenging moments! Allen quotes; "The hardest things in her life have given her more of God". I can say that is true in my life.
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