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Wednesday, January 30, 2008

January 30, 2008

The Internet Cafe

welcomes

Melanie from Big Mama

"Clean Up on Aisle 9"



The other day my daughter Caroline and I were in the grocery store. She rarely wants to ride in the cart anymore unless it’s the monstrosity that is the bright blue racecar cart. You know, the ones that make semi-trucks look small and maneuverable by comparison?

So, since I knew it was going to be a fairly quick trip I allowed her to walk next to me. As we went down the various aisles, I would tell her what we needed and together we would look for it. It was a peaceful, harmonious time until we arrived on the breakfast cereal/fruit snack aisle.

“Mama, I want these!” she said, holding up the box of My Little Pony fruit snacks. If I had a dime for every box of novelty fruit snacks we have bought and then not eaten, well, I would have a lot of dimes. Maybe even two dollars worth.

“Please, I want them. They are so cute and the most beautiful!” she continued to beg. I said, “No, we’re not getting those. You think you want them but you won’t like them. How about these other kind? You’ll like these.”

She continued to insist, I continued to say no and thus, meltdown on Aisle 9 ensued.

I was so frustrated that she wouldn’t listen to me and thought to myself that I don’t know why she won’t let me tell her anything. I know what she’ll like and what she won’t. I am the mama, I know what’s best. I didn’t want her to get fruit snacks that would just go to waste and not get a snack she’d really enjoy.

And in that moment, on Aisle 9, it hit me. God showed up right there among the Honey-nut Cheerios and I saw myself in my child as He said, “That’s what I’m trying to teach you. I am the Father, I know what’s best.”

Let me be clear that God and I have not been wrestling over My Little Pony fruit snacks. I’ve never been much of a fruit snack girl. But I have been learning that His ways are truly higher than my ways. He knows me better than I know myself.

In the last year of my life so many things have happened that I wouldn’t have asked for or planned. The way has looked really uncertain and the path has been rocky. I’ve had so many times of praying for God to do one thing and then seeing Him do another. It has stretched my faith beyond where it’s ever been stretched.

I’ve had moments of confusion, fear and waiting. Waiting to see His hand. Waiting to see Him provide. And He has, but not always in the ways that seemed to make the most sense to me or in the ways that I wanted.

At the same time, I’ve seen doors begin to open to opportunities I never even dreamed of and my life begin to move in a direction that I couldn’t have imagined. And while it still seems like a lot of pieces in a puzzle that I’m waiting to see come together, I can see the pieces. I can see His hand. I can see His provision.

And it looks different than what I wanted.



It looks better.

I was busy asking for my version of My Little Pony fruit snacks and He was nudging me along knowing that just because they might look beautiful, doesn’t mean they are the right things for me. He had something better in mind because He knows me better than I know myself.

He sees the whole picture and all I see is what’s on Aisle 9.

God, help me to walk in your ways. Help me overcome my unbelief and trust your heart even when your hand is moving in ways I don’t understand.

Isaiah 55: 8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”


God bless,


Melanie
bigmama1.com





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34 Comments:

Blogger Diane@Diane's Place said...

Good stuff, Melanie. Sad to say, but I've done that kicking and screaming fit (figuratively speaking!) a time or several before God finally got it through my thick head that He knows best. Every time.

January 30, 2008 at 12:30 AM  
Blogger Kelli said...

Bullseye.

January 30, 2008 at 12:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So true! We're in the midst of this right now. He surpasses our wildest dreams. Thanks!

January 30, 2008 at 1:25 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Great post, and so true. Thanks for sharing.

January 30, 2008 at 3:23 AM  
Blogger Denise said...

Amen, may we all walk in His ways.

January 30, 2008 at 4:05 AM  
Blogger b said...

I had to laugh...once my daughter had such a big meltdown in a grocery store that they OPENED a checkout just so I could get her out of the store! :O This devotion rings so very true to me this morning...I've prayed and prayed over something in my life for four years with God saying 'no.' Finally, there's an answer, the one I was actually praying for...and I'm beginning to get a glimpse of how God was growing me, changing me, in the years of waiting. "All I see is what's on Ailse 9." So very true. B.

January 30, 2008 at 4:10 AM  
Blogger Theresa said...

What a wonderful story of God's grace. Sometimes I thank God that not only are His ways are higher than mine, but that I can just be His child and not worry about the big stuff.

January 30, 2008 at 4:57 AM  
Blogger Beth Cotell said...

Thanks for the great reminder that God's way is the best way!

January 30, 2008 at 5:42 AM  
Blogger 2nd Cup of Coffee said...

I think waiting is the hardest part. Great post.

January 30, 2008 at 6:24 AM  
Blogger Praise and Coffee said...

Thanks Melanie, I needed that one this morning.

Hugs,
Sue

January 30, 2008 at 6:27 AM  
Blogger Sister Honey Bunch/Judi maloney said...

It is so hard to give up what we think is best, to wait for God to show us what really is best.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

January 30, 2008 at 6:55 AM  
Blogger Mocha with Linda said...

What a great lesson wrapped up in a picture we can so well relate to! Thanks so much.

January 30, 2008 at 6:59 AM  
Blogger tootie said...

You really put it in perspective! Thanks for sharing this story with all of us.

January 30, 2008 at 8:57 AM  
Blogger Chris @ Come to the Table said...

What a great word to start my day,

"He sees the whole picture and all I see is what's on aisle 9"

Great post!

Blessings,
Chris

January 30, 2008 at 9:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks so much Melanie. Perfectly said! If we would have stuck with "the aisle 9 plan" we wouldn't have our beautiful daughter. I'm so glad He sees the big picture and leads us there!

January 30, 2008 at 9:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Awesome post! A word that I needed to hear today. Thanks. I love the "all I see is aisle 9" part. It's so true.

January 30, 2008 at 9:51 AM  
Blogger Cindy Swanson said...

Wow, Melanie...that really spoke to my heart! So often I insist on wanting things a certain way, not remembering that my Father knows what's best for me. Thanks for a devotion that I could so easily apply to my life!

January 30, 2008 at 10:09 AM  
Blogger Mary Lou said...

You truly hit it on the nail on the head...He must be dealing with alot of us in the same way at the same time....What a great God He is and what a beautiful picture that you painted for us to see more clearly...Blessings.....dlowran1(at)comcast(dot)net

January 30, 2008 at 10:34 AM  
Blogger Cory said...

This devotional has come at the most appropriate time. I have been trying to tell my husband this very message. But, since it comes out of my mouth, he doesn't want to listen. I will be printing this and giving it to him. Thank you and God bless, Cory

January 30, 2008 at 11:23 AM  
Blogger lori said...

darlin' you are SPOT ON with this one....
It's amazing what HE can do, EVEN ON ASILE ....
I've lived it too!!
WONDERFUL POST girl!!
thanks for sharing!!!

Just cause I THINK I should have it doesn't mean HE does...and HE KNOWS BETTER....Thankfully, I'm learning that....
peace to you!!
lori

January 30, 2008 at 12:02 PM  
Blogger The Roaming Southerner said...

Great post...I couldn't have thought or said it better. Thank you for sharing!

January 30, 2008 at 1:05 PM  
Blogger Trudy said...

Love this story. I was thinking similar to this today. The My Little Pony fruit snacks are a good visual. I think I've been asking for a lot of "gummy bears" lately and God has plans to give me something far more nourishing. I just have to adjust my taste buds to crave the good instead of the junk.

thanks.

January 30, 2008 at 2:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

wow, that hit home ...

January 30, 2008 at 2:52 PM  
Blogger windycindy said...

What a wonderful anecdote! I can truly identify with! Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

January 30, 2008 at 2:59 PM  
Blogger Rosheeda said...

I read your blog daily. I love this post today. The honesty resonates. And I've said this same thing to God many times. Matter-of-fact, I started blogging as a way to get through a period where God kept on doin' things His way and leaving me wondering just exactly how all this was supposed to work out... Now, on the tail end, I'm starting to see it. And it's beautiful.

My new confidence: He makes beauty from ashes.

I can't wait to see what's next!

January 30, 2008 at 3:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nothing . . . not one thing or situation . . . has taught me more about the ways of God than trying to lead, teach and 'grow up' a house full of children. How difficult it is at times to convince them that you really do know best and that your motives are grounded completely in love.
Wonder how many times God has said that about me? I am learning!
Wonderful, thoughtful post!
Darnelle

January 30, 2008 at 3:34 PM  
Blogger Tammy said...

Great Word, Melanie. Glad to have you join us. I hope to read more from you in the future!

January 30, 2008 at 5:20 PM  
Blogger Tammy said...

Great Word, Melanie. Glad to have you join us. I hope to read more from you in the future!

January 30, 2008 at 5:20 PM  
Blogger marine's words said...

That is so true IS.55:8-9 our thoughts are not his" that was a great post. marina

January 30, 2008 at 5:25 PM  
Blogger Diane said...

God is so incredibly patient with us. No matter how difficult His way (rather than our own) may be, the end result in blessings, stronger faith and increased Christ-likeness far outweighs the momentary troubles.

Naturally, this is much easier to see after the learning is over!

January 30, 2008 at 7:03 PM  
Blogger Cheryl said...

Great post! My son is wanting something now that looks good on the outside but I know that it is not good for him. He will not listen to me. This post helped me. Thanks.

January 30, 2008 at 8:57 PM  
Blogger Stephanie said...

You spoke to a Mommy's heart, and I am listening. Thank you.

January 31, 2008 at 3:19 AM  
Blogger boomama said...

I am proud of you.

January 31, 2008 at 3:00 PM  
Blogger Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

Great analogy...

I wish I could one day get it through my thick head that He wants my best even when it feels like He's breaking both my legs to give it to me.

Thanks for contributing, Melanie...We hope you'll bless us again! ;)

Lisa

February 1, 2008 at 11:38 AM  

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