Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk --- God Has Something Better
Ever since I was just a little kid my typical disposition was to never really want or expect much of anything. This all stemmed from an experience I had when I was five years old. Since there were no toys back in Croatia after the second world war, you can imagine my excitement when we came to Canada and I was given my very first doll. Sheer glee.
Now can you image the devastation the very next week when my parents decided to send it to some kid overseas that remained underprivileged? It had a profound effect on me and so altered my behavior that this is why I grew up to never desire anything because of this deep rooted fear of the heart-wrenching pain I would experience when it is yanked away from me. Although generally, when I wanted something, I just went out and worked harder or longer and purchased it but I held it loosely, just in case.
Since my husband and I worked very hard for 25 long years, we managed to attain quite a bit of wealth and possessions and had accumulated lands and houses. But like Job, ‘the thing I feared the most’ actually came upon us when we were embezzled back in 1991. Imagine the devastation. Almost immediately I reverted right back to my former mindset of desiring NO THING and was quite satisfied to espouse with the Apostle Paul that I was content whether I was abased or abounding. I certainly had no intention of striving for the next 25 years to amass it all back. Instead, I figured out just how much I could live without and focused my priorities on the eternal instead. A very noble and idealistic concept until I discovered I didn’t have the $1.99 needed to buy pantyhose. I got quite perturbed when I found my new budget did not allow for such luxuries. You can’t go anywhere in Canada without pantyhose. You might get away with not wearing pantyhose in Florida, but not in Canada. People suspect something is amiss when your legs are bare in the middle of a blizzard. So naturally I explained to God that pantyhose were a necessity. Realizing God sometimes works in ´mischievous ways’ I suspected that He’s the one that arranged for my friend Marcie to get a secretarial job at a hosiery factory. She sent me a lifetime supply of hose in every shade under the sun. Imagine my excitement.
This is exactly how God responded to each and every need that arose in my life. He continued to provide over and above ---- until --- one incident this past summer. I have been relatively content, except for some minor grumbling and complaining, to live in a 30 foot trailer during the time we spend in Canada. Just when it felt as though it was getting smaller and smaller, I stumbled upon a little cottage nestled away in a Christian Campground. It was perfect right down to the oversized deck and huge maple tree in the front yard. Scoring 99 out of 100 points of the bells and whistles that I required and liked, it seemed to be a once in a lifetime find. Plus, a few of my friends already lived there. Imagine my excitement.
My dream was brutally shattered when I was denied approval to move into this campground because I held credentials outside of this denomination. Resubmitting applications, numerous appeals and torrents of tears fell on deaf ears. The Board would not reconsider. I began bombarding heaven and nagged God for six weeks to intervene and overrule their decision. In order to plead my case I invoked the scripture, "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of thine heart," but God chose not to comply.
Although I actually grieved the loss of that property, I realize that my Father in heaven knows what’s best and He must have a different plan for this child. I trust His omniscience completely.
Now here comes my sermon, don’t miss it: Denying or withholding what seems to be a blessing is not God’s rejection of us or abasement against us. Instead it is a reflection of His love because it is a demonstration of His divine wisdom and foresight resulting in our ultimate good and well- being every single time. Therefore we need to stay excited about the things of God.
I would be in a sorry state if my happiness depended on material things, yet I believe He has a perfect little nest somewhere out there with my name on it. I intend to just delight in Him and wait for Him to surprise me. He loves to do that you know --- surprise His kids and bless their hearts. Just wait and see! . Copyright Donna Martonfi www.psalm40ministries.com
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