About noon I woke up with a new left hip. The last thing the doctor said was this will be easy. It was. What he did not tell me was that I was going to wake up hungry. When I asked for something to eat all I could get was a cup of cherry Jell-O. I knew my wife had a bagel in her pocket since we stopped on the way to the hospital at 5 AM and got some. Would you believe she would not give me one? I begged for just one bite. She told me if she gave me one I would beg for another. I told her to give me one bite and then go home. That way I couldn’t beg for another. She wouldn’t give in. I told her if she loved me she would give me a piece of a bagel. She said she loved me and, therefore, would not give me any.
The entire exchange reminded me of some past experiences I have had with God. I have begged Him for things He never gave me. I remembered Jesus’ parable of the widow who begged the judge who finally gave in just to get her to be quiet. I never was able to wear God down. He has way too much patience. I was the one who resigned from the battle. Fortunately, when Jesus says, “Ask and you shall receive” He means we will receive what is best for us and not exactly what we asked for. It really boils down to love. Real love does what is best and not what is wanted. Our wants are not always the best.
One thing I did get this week that I did not ask for was I am taller. The doctor measured my legs and decided I would be better off if he made my left leg a centimeter longer. I hope you can recognize me. I have to say the weather is different up here.
Written by Roger Bothwell on December 18, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
rogerbothwell.org