I Want It My Way

Dedicated to my friend Boni

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.                   Romans 8:28

We farm kids from south of the parallel grew up together and were a pretty tigh-knit group.   We played together, were in 4-H together,  and attended Centerview Methodist Church, where we went to Sunday School and Bible School together.   Those of school age who attended the Centerview Country School did so with five or six different classes in one room.   At recess and during Bible School, we all piled on the merry-go-round, played on the teeter-totter, saw how high we could go in the swings, and leapt into the buffalo grass that covered the school yard.  The playground equipment was ours to enjoy.

When the decision was made to close Centerview School and consolidate with Lewis, all the play ground equipment was moved to Lewis.   My friend Boni had gone to Centerview only one year; she then transferred to Lewis for second grade.   The first day in her new school she came home with tears streaming down her face and mad as could be!  When her Mom questioned what was wrong, she commented, “I don’t want those Lewis kids to use our playground equipment.“

This little story made me think.   How often did I try to take charge of other’s actions instead of being concerned with the only ones I could control—my own.   I pondered the days in my life when nothing had gone my way, the days when “Nobody did what I wanted them to do!”  I even wondered where God was when things were not working out the way I thought they should. Some things I tried to control were so trivial.

Life would be easier if only I remembered back then, and now, that God is always there.   He is in control.   When things are not going my way, it is not that God does not know or care.   In fact, God may have a better plan for my life.   Boni learned that He had a better plan for her.  Those she learned to share our playground equipment with, became life-long friends.

PRAYER:    Dear Lord,    Deliver me from trying to always be in control of my family’s lives.   I surrender each of them and every situation I try to control to you.  Help me to trust you.   Guide me as I make small decisions as well as large ones.  I commit my whole life to you.  I will leave the results entirely in your hands.  Amen

PRAYER FOCUS 

Give me a gentle reminder when you see me trying to control other’s lives. Remind me to send a prayer thanking  You for working in their lives.