brownies for breakfast

I’ve always wanted my kids to have the opportunity to participate in a mission trip to a foreign country.  There’s an amazing amount of personal growth that happens when we experience another culture, especially seeing the joy that others exhibit in the face of hardship and deprivation. 

So, it was with  great excitement that I looked forward to my 18 year old son’s chance to go on a mission trip to Africa last December.  And then the trip was cancelled.  I was so disappointed for this lost opportunity.  And then yesterday it looked as though he would have another chance.  A youth group was going to work at an orphanage in Haiti and he was invited to participate.  Again, I was so excited.  And now, once again, it looks like it’s going to fall through.  It looks like his Father is going to say, “no”. 

I went God and asked, “Why?  This is such a good thing that I want for him.  I really don’t understand, God, why you wouldn’t want him to go.  “ 

And then I remembered the time Kate wanted brownies for breakfast.  She was barely a year old, sitting in the high chair, waiting for her Cheerios.  Suddenly she spotted a pan of brownies on the stove.  Although she wasn’t yet talking, there was not doubt in my mind that she wanted those brownies and she wanted them NOW! 

“Sorry, Kate.  You’re NOT having brownies for breakfast.”

Oh my.  If you had heard those wails, you would have thought I was torturing her.  Those brownies looked so good and at that moment, she wanted them more than anything. 

And I wondered, how could I possibly explain to her that although the brownies looked like such a yummy, good thing, brownies for breakfast weren’t really the best thing for her right now?  There was no way for her to understand.  She was just going to have to accept that I, as her mom, knew so much better what was best for her.

And then I wondered, how often do I really want something, something that looks like it would be a good thing, and my Father says, “No, that’s not really the best thing for you.  At least not right now.”  And I have to accept that, as my Father, He knows so much better that I, what is really best for me…

…even in regards to a mission trip.

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