My Son

My son turned 10 yesterday. We wanted to have a party for him, but he insisted he did not want a party because "canopy parties", he said, were for "babies" and that his friends would laugh at him! All he wanted was that we take him out with a few of his friends for a meal and some fun. So that was what we did. I invited a few close friends and their children and some family and we went to one of the fun places in town for children and everyone had a great time.

My husband and I planned to give him a bike as a gift - as a matter of fact we had already ordered it, but it did not arrive on the day, so we could not present it. But my son wanted something else - a 'Bakugan ball' (I am not sure about the spelling now).I did not tell him about the bike because I wanted to surprise him, but he wanted this bakugan ball and I promised I would get it for him.

We got home quite late and I noticed that my son was not very happy and I asked him why. He told me that it was because we did not get him the bakugan ball. My husband and I could not believe it! We had gone to a lot of length to make sure he had fun with his friends, but because of one very 'little' piece of toy he was unhappy.

Well, we may not understand it, we may think that his desire does not make sense, but the fact is that it meant something to him. A promise is a promise, we will get it for him as soon as the shops open.

There are two perspectives to this incident. On the one hand, you could say that my son was ungrateful. Why was he not satisfied with everything we had done for him? But on the other hand, was he really being ungrateful? Did I not promise and raise his hopes?

My son typifies man in general. When we desire or want a particular thing and it is not done, we become discouraged with life and sink into depression. We lose taste for life and even for our loved ones. We stop appreciating the people and the things God has blessed us with just because one particular expectation was not met or one prayer was not answered.

My son's expectation or desire was a 'bakugan' toy. What is yours? What are you expecting so badly in life, but have not got? What have you been praying about for so long, but the answer is yet to come? Just like my son, your desire may not make sense to anyone but it is genuinely important to you. It is your desire, something you really want and will make you happy no doubt, but is it enough to spoil your day and blight the rest of your life?

The desire to have a child is a genuine and legitimate desire and so is the desire for financial independence and a happy marriage. Yet, if we can be fair, God has been faithful to us in spite of these unmet desires.

I will be picking up my son from school this afternoon, but before I do I will stop by at the shop to buy the toy he wants so badly. As at yesterday, he thought his world was over just because he did not get this toy, but what he did not know was that it was not a denial, but a delay. The logistics of the day did not allow us pick up the toy yesterday, but surely if the store has it in stock I will pick a box for him today.

I assure you that your desire from the Lord will surely come. That there is a delay does not mean that it has been denied you. God may be working on some 'spiritual logistics' that you can not see. And in due time ...in His time your expectation will come and it will not be delayed.

Cheer up, it is not over yet. When depression and ingratitude comes knocking on the door of your heart regarding those 'unanswered' prayers think of my son and his toy and be rest assured that God who is a loving parent is working round the clock to ensure you have your desires in your hands...soon.
Peace.