Faith: Could vs. Would

Today was one of those days when God worked something out fast for us...not just fast, but God fast.  I'm talking super, 1.21 jiggawatts fast!  It was truly amazing.  What was it you ask?  Well, frankly it's none of your business so stop asking.  Seriously though, here's my point.  I had faith that he could work fast but when it happened, I was both happy and shocked at the same time.  So that brings up a question...I had faith that he COULD do something in my life, but did I have faith that he WOULD?  Which brings up another question to me about our faith.  Do you think that sometimes we just go through the motions in our prayer life, thinking that God is able to make changes in our lives but not really believing that he will?  Think about the last time God did something supernatural in your life.  Were you surprised a little?  I think there's a difference with having "Awe" at what God does in your life through prayer and being surprised at what he does.

Then Jesus said to the disciples, "Have faith in God.  I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen.  But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.  I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours.  But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too."-Mark 11:22-25.

Where could we be now in our walk with God if only in our past we believed that he could and would do certain things in our life?  The better question is, where can we go in our future if we start practicing authentic faith today?

“Daddy, do you ever get frustrated with God?”

Our dog died.  Great way to start a post, huh?  Well, you see, we surprised our girls a few weeks ago with a 7 week old beautiful chocolate labrador retriever.  We named him Bentley.  One evening, after we had him for about 2 weeks, he started acting real sluggish and not like a normal puppy should act.  We took him to the vet where they quickly learned he had parvo.  That was on a Tuesday.  The doctor seemed optimistic about his chances but sometime during the 4 days of getting fluids, Bentley developed a secondary infection.  He died on Friday afternoon. 

We buried Bentley with tears streaming down our faces.  That night, after saying prayers and tucking our kids into bed, our little Maddee looked up at me and asked the following question through her tears:  “Daddy, do you ever get frustrated with God?”  It broke my heart to hear her ask that, but I gave her an honest answer and one that I believe God was perfectly fine with.  I told her yes.  We had a little talk about how God sees the big picture of our lives and sometimes we don’t understand why things happen because we’re only seeing part of the story.  I tried to explain it where a little girl’s mind could understand, but at the same time I think God wanted me to hear it as well.  Think about that for a second.  I believe God was giving me the words to say not only to my daughter, but he was also speaking to me, through me!  That’s just how God works.  There are frustrations and unanswered questions in my life right now, as I’m sure there are in the lives of some that are reading this.  My point?  Keep praying, keep listening, keep reading, and keep doing what you know is right.  The true author of your story will soon let you turn the page and reveal to you the next chapter in your life.  “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”- Galatians 6:9.  Reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.  Sounds pretty nice.  Go ahead, tell God your frustrations.  I can promise he wants you too.  But then keep doing what is right and don’t quit.  It’s almost time to turn your page.