"Pouting Children"

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

My friend and I took our little granddaughters to the park yesterday. They each had a sand pail and shovel that they took with them. They were playing in the sandbox when another little girl came and wanted to join. She didn't have a pail and shovel so our girls shared with her. Only having two pails and two shovels among three children meant that someone couldn't have both and they would have to take turns. When this little girl couldn't have both, she started pouting. She wasn't happy with the fact that she couldn't have all she wanted and wasn't thankful that at least someone was sharing theirs with her.

It reminded me of how we are with our Heavenly Father sometimes. We have nothing! We came into this world naked and we will leave the same way- with nothing. But God is so gracious and kind to "share" and "give" us what we don't have in order to make it through this life. But sometimes we act like pouty children. What He does for us isn't good enough. We want more, we want it all, or we want something else altogether. We are seldom content and just grateful for what we do have.

These little girls did not have to share with this other little girl. The pails and shovels were theirs. They weren't obligated to share. We didn't make them share, they chose to. God doesn't have to do anything good for us. He doesn't have to show us any kindness. We don't deserve the blessings He sends our way. We rebelled against Him. We turned our backs on Him. We rejected Him. We disobeyed Him. Whatever He does for us is out of the goodness, love and mercy of His own heart.
He may not give you everything you want, every time you want it. He may not give you all you want. But are you going to be content with what He does give knowing that He knows exactly what you need? Are you going to be grateful for whatever He gives you? Are you going to be thankful with each of His blessings- regardless of how small or incomplete you may feel they are? Or are you going to pout?

Have a great day. Pouting children aren't grateful and content with what they do have-- are you one?

For further reading:
Hebrews 13:5
Job 1:21
Philippians 4:19
Numbers 11:1-9

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
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