“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.