I've had disagreements with my parents, my friends, my bosses, pastor, husband, and kids. But until today, I didn't realize that I've had disagreements with God, too. Sure I've had disappointments with God. I'll even admit to being peeved at Him. But I have never thought of them as disagreements.
Disappointments have to be grieved. I remember pitching the biggest fit when I was eight years old about not being able to stay overnight at the new farmhouse we'd purchased as planned. Fortunately, after many tears and a few weeks, I got over it.
Anger has to be soothed. My mother was a master at soothing my anger. She would pretend like I wasn't mad and would try to make me laugh. I almost always did.
I've always thought that heaven would provide me with the ultimate relief from my disappointment and anger. Perhaps I would be so distracted by the glories of heaven that I would forget all about the troubles I'd had on earth. Perhaps God's presence would be so soothing that I wouldn't feel hurt and angry about everything that went on before. But an email I got today from a Bible Question of the Week gave me a completely different perspective. The question the email answered was whether pets go to heaven. The we-don't-know answer was familiar to me, but the last sentence of the answer wasn't:
We do know that God is just and that when we get to heaven we will find ourselves in complete agreement with His decision on this issue, whatever it may be.
In our disagreements with others, we are doing well just to get beyond the disappointment and anger. I once had a serious disagreement with my husband. I am no longer disappointed and angry about it, but I still don't agree.
How different is our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Not only will He wipe away every tear; not only will He fill us with His joy, but we will find ourselves in complete agreement with Him. Every illness, trial, and unanswered prayer we've endured will evoke, "You were right."
My husband can testify to the fact that those words seldom make their way from my lips! But knowing that they will one day be the words I use to praise our awesome God enables me to trust Him when my flesh cries out in disappointment in anger. May we be like Joseph who held no grudge against God for his unjust treatment:
I don't know if I was a master or not, but it sure was fun to see if I could get you to at least grin at me. It is also so interesting to listen to my children relate stories from their childhood that were so important to them or traumatic that I have completely forgotten. Sorry Mel
Posted by: Mom | September 27, 2009 at 08:40 PM