Each week at church, Pastor John has a brief devotional time with the children.  Pastor John is a gifted storyteller, and it’s always interesting to see and hear the kids interact and respond to the message.  Some pretty interesting and insightful observations are made by the kids in response to John’s talk each week.

Pssst…I listen, learn, and am challenged too!  [I expect that I am not the only adult either!]

Last week, John shared about how he always wanted an elephant as a pet when he was growing up, but his dad would never get one for him.  He asked the children if they thought it was a right or wrong for his father to NOT give him the pet he wanted.  Of course, the kids thought it was the right decision – sharing that an elephant was too big, messy, “stinky,” etc. – and really not a good pet for the home.

Pastor John then shared how, just as his father said no for good reasons (and our father’s often as well), so it is with God, our Heavenly Father.  Sometimes God says no to our requests because He knows what is best for us or when something is best for us.  As a Follower of Jesus, I’ve heard this before (as most Followers have) – it’s nothing new…it’s certainly what we hear, believe, and often cling to when things don’t work the way we prayerfully hope they do (i.e., asking God for a “pet elephant.”)

The next part of John’s talk hit me in the gut.
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