The Right Part

Bible Reading: Isaiah 55:8-11

Nadia cried out as she tripped on the steps to the door of her house. “Ouch! My knee!” She looked down at her badly skinned knee and started to cry.

“What’s wrong?” asked Mom when Nadia came in. Nadia pointed to her knee. “Let’s clean that up,” Mom said, picking up baby Olive and heading for the bathroom.

Seated on the edge of the tub, Nadia watched Mom open the medicine cabinet. When Olive saw all the shiny bottles inside, she reached for them eagerly. “No, no,” said Mom, and she set Olive down. Then Mom took out disinfectant and bandages. After gently cleaning and bandaging Nadia’s knee, she glanced up. “Is something else bothering you?”

“I didn’t get a part in the school play. I’m singing in the choir again,” Nadia said with tears in her eyes. “And don’t tell me to pray about it,” she added crossly. “I prayed for two years, and I never get a part.”

Mom knelt beside her. “Did you notice the way Olive reached for the things I keep here in the medicine cabinet?” she asked. Nadia nodded. “I knew she wanted them,” said Mom, “but I didn’t let her have them. Why not?”

“She could poison herself,” replied Nadia. “She doesn’t know that those things can be dangerous.”

“Yes,” said Mom. “You and I know it’s not good for her to get ahold of those medicines.”

Nadia sighed. “I know what you’re going to say—that when we ask for things that aren’t right for us, God doesn’t give them to us and we should just be happy anyway, right?”

“Well, maybe not happy, but you can still trust God when you feel sad or disappointed and remember He’s with you,” Mom replied. “When Olive is older and knows how to use what’s inside those bottles, it may be okay for her to get them. And God may want you to wait till you’re older to have a part in the play—or maybe He has something different in mind. I don’t know. But I do know that He loves you and knows best. Will you trust Him?”

“Okay,” said Nadia. “Even if I never get a part in the play, I’ll trust Him anyway.” Karen E. Cogan

How About You?

Do you get discouraged when your hopes or plans don’t work out? Perhaps the timing is not right for what you want, or maybe God has better plans for you. He knows what would happen if you got what you asked for. He knows that what you want isn’t always the best thing for you. Remember that God loves you and promises to do what’s best. Trust Him.

Today’s Key Verse:
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

God’s plans are best