Pouting
Along with Ryan’s newfound excitement for computer games, comes a newfound desire to play them…a lot. While I want him to have fun with them (and we do control what he has access to), I do not want this to be his total free-time experience. He has always been an avid reader and loves playing all sorts of games. I want to be careful to ensure he has a well-rounded experience. Generally we allow him no more than an hour a day of EITHER computer games, selected movies or PBS TV – that’s AFTER homework is done.
Lately he’s been asking for more computer time. When I remind him of the rule, he often tries another angle and asks his dad for permission. He’s also been attempting creative negotiation. His most recent stunner was an announcement that he would eat more fruit if he could have more computer time. He even mentioned that an apple should equal 30 minutes.
Well, sometimes the answer is just plain “no.” This often brings out the lower lip and results in pouting. The season being what it is, I’ve reminded him that “Santa Claus is coming to town” and that he says you should not pout. It’s really hard for him to make the transition away from pouting. I’ve seen him try to wipe tears away, and although he eventually forgets it for awhile, he often brings it back up again later and the cycle starts again. No matter what we say, it’s hard for him to comprehend how playing the computer for hours on end might not be the best thing for him. He thinks it would be great!
As I considered Ryan’s actions, I wondered if the Lord ever thought of us as “pouters”. When we want something and it doesn’t happen according to our schedule or in the manner we think appropriate, do we pout or sulk? Do we “try another angle” and see if we can get our way by some other effort? Do we actually try to negotiate with God? “I promise I’ll do (insert your promise) if you’ll only do (insert your desire) for me.” Do we define for God exactly how or when this desire should be granted? Is it hard for us to comprehend exactly why God does not see the great value in fulfilling this desire exactly as we have defined it? We think it would be great!
Let’s back away from our desires for a moment and consider God the Father. Do we think it is possible that His plans for us might be just a bit more thought out than ours? Is it possible that His vision of all things (including the future) could be an angle that we have not considered? Do you think the disciples could even begin to imagine the greatness and wonder of God’s plan when Jesus told them that He must die and it would be better for us if He did? Assuming we have a right relationship with God, once we bring to Him our desires, maybe pouting isn’t really going to help Him make a decision. I wonder if praising whatever He does might be a better choice! How about faith that “Father knows best”?
Proverbs 3:11-12 (Message) But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.
Matthew 7:9-11 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Luke 22:22 For I, the Son of Man, must die since it is part of God’s plan.
Holy Father, Thank You that your plan is perfect. I pray that we will always honor You with faith that You know best and live in honor to Your will for our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
You better watch out,
You better not cry,
Better not pout, I'm telling you why,
Jesus Christ is coming to town.
He's making a list,
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice.
Jesus Christ is coming to town.
He sees you when you're sleeping,
He knows when you're awake,
He knows if you've been bad or good,
So be good for goodness sake!
You better watch out,
You better not cry,
Better not pout, I'm telling you why,
Jesus Christ is coming to town
Barb
Lately he’s been asking for more computer time. When I remind him of the rule, he often tries another angle and asks his dad for permission. He’s also been attempting creative negotiation. His most recent stunner was an announcement that he would eat more fruit if he could have more computer time. He even mentioned that an apple should equal 30 minutes.
Well, sometimes the answer is just plain “no.” This often brings out the lower lip and results in pouting. The season being what it is, I’ve reminded him that “Santa Claus is coming to town” and that he says you should not pout. It’s really hard for him to make the transition away from pouting. I’ve seen him try to wipe tears away, and although he eventually forgets it for awhile, he often brings it back up again later and the cycle starts again. No matter what we say, it’s hard for him to comprehend how playing the computer for hours on end might not be the best thing for him. He thinks it would be great!
As I considered Ryan’s actions, I wondered if the Lord ever thought of us as “pouters”. When we want something and it doesn’t happen according to our schedule or in the manner we think appropriate, do we pout or sulk? Do we “try another angle” and see if we can get our way by some other effort? Do we actually try to negotiate with God? “I promise I’ll do (insert your promise) if you’ll only do (insert your desire) for me.” Do we define for God exactly how or when this desire should be granted? Is it hard for us to comprehend exactly why God does not see the great value in fulfilling this desire exactly as we have defined it? We think it would be great!
Let’s back away from our desires for a moment and consider God the Father. Do we think it is possible that His plans for us might be just a bit more thought out than ours? Is it possible that His vision of all things (including the future) could be an angle that we have not considered? Do you think the disciples could even begin to imagine the greatness and wonder of God’s plan when Jesus told them that He must die and it would be better for us if He did? Assuming we have a right relationship with God, once we bring to Him our desires, maybe pouting isn’t really going to help Him make a decision. I wonder if praising whatever He does might be a better choice! How about faith that “Father knows best”?
Proverbs 3:11-12 (Message) But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.
Matthew 7:9-11 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Luke 22:22 For I, the Son of Man, must die since it is part of God’s plan.
Holy Father, Thank You that your plan is perfect. I pray that we will always honor You with faith that You know best and live in honor to Your will for our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
You better watch out,
You better not cry,
Better not pout, I'm telling you why,
Jesus Christ is coming to town.
He's making a list,
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice.
Jesus Christ is coming to town.
He sees you when you're sleeping,
He knows when you're awake,
He knows if you've been bad or good,
So be good for goodness sake!
You better watch out,
You better not cry,
Better not pout, I'm telling you why,
Jesus Christ is coming to town
Barb
posted by BreadBakers at 12:01 PM
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