Hearing NO

I've never enjoyed being told NO.  I'm a pretty independent person and so when I hear NO it translates into the word "boundaries" in my mind and boundaries remind me that I'm not in control ( and who likes to hear that they are not in control :) )

I can sometimes hide my reactions to that two-letter N word, but my son on the other hand usually has one or two reactions.  He either stares at me and then proceeds with whatever action he is NOT supposed to do or he just breaks down crying.  The first action usually incurs some reprimand/punishment which leads to tears, so basically NO = tears for Weston

I want to look at my precious son at those moments and say, "Weston, Mommy loves you more than you know, and I'm telling you NO because I want to keep you safe, " or "Sweet child, Mommy loves you more than you know and there are such better things for you to play with besides the water in the toilet!"  Because I am his loving parent, most of the time I know what my child needs. I tell him NO because I know their is a better or even best option for him at that moment compared to the thing he is choosing to do.

Recently we heard a NO to something we had been praying about and I really let it get to me.  That NO reminded me, once again, that I am not in control!  I just went ahead and told God that I had waited long enough and his NO was not what I wanted to hear.  And in His loving way my heavenly Father used my active little son to remind me of something that I already knew but wasn't believing.  It was like he said, "My sweet stubborn child, I know the end from the beginning.  I'm good.  I'm in control.  I love you more than you know.  There is something so much better for you that I'm saying YES to, but you just have to wait for me to work.  Believe me child, I love to give you good gifts."

If I, in my sinful finite self, want to take care of and give good gifts to my sweet boy, then why do I think that my perfect and sovereign Father is holding out on me?  Why do I focus so much on the NOs and not take the time to ponder what that means He might be saying YES to?  And why do I have to learn this lesson over and over again?  Come on Corley!  Can't you just learn your lesson?!? :)

It is amazing that God uses my 13 month old to teach me over and over again about Himself.  

Matthew 7:9-11 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"