But ... I WANT It!

James 1:5  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Toddlers ... (sigh) ... Need I say more?

I learned quickly with my firstborn that if it's not for him or is dangerous, he WANTS it! Even though he's got a room full of perfectly safe, age-appropriate toys, he's going to go out of his way to grab a bunch of wires or a glass vase.

What I've found works slightly better than just ripping the item out of his hand is doing a quick switch out. I'll get something else to "trade" him. He gives me the hazardous object, and I replace it with something safe, meant just for him. Sometimes this works, but sometimes he hangs on for dear life to the thing I don't want him to have. He doesn't understand that playing with these things can have painful outcomes.

This reminds me of how we are with God sometimes. We tend to cling on to things that are not good for us instead of reaching out and grabbing what God has for us. The stubborn toddler in us says "But this is MINE, I LIKE this!"

Whether it is a habit, behavior, certain people in our lives OR even something like worry, a lot of the things we choose for ourselves can harm us. It's hard for us to see the inevitable outcomes of having these things in our lives but God knows. He sees and is ready to trade us for things He knows are safe and made just for us.

I challenge you to resist your inner toddler and release whatever could harm you from your life and allow God to replace it with what He has for you.

Dear Lord, Thank you for loving me and wanting what's best for me. Help me to let go of the things that I HAVE chosen for myself and to receive the wonderful gifts YOU HAVE for me. Give me wisdom to see things as You see them.

I thank you, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the dead so I can have eternal life.

Reflection: Is there something in your life you are hanging onto that has the potential to hurt you?