Every parent has experienced the barrage of questions that come about at bed time. Isn’t it humorous how a child’s typical one word response can change to endless conversation when it comes time for bed? While tucking my daughter in recently, I experienced such a barrage that included a question that grabbed my attention. With her question, she sought my permission for something that seemed innocent enough, but as I sat there on the side of her bed, I began to dig deeper into her request, and as I did, I found that there was more to it, and the more I found the more confident I became that my answer was a solid, ‘no.’ I don’t like telling my children ‘no’ any more than you do. It’s painful, but there are times when that ‘no’ is a necessity.

You see, in her request – she was innocent; she had no intentions of wrong at all. She is a pure and sweet soul. But as we sat there conversing I saw the potential path a ‘yes’ could lead her down, a path that didn’t feel right – and I said, ‘no’.

As I switched off the light, and we said our good nights, I was struck with a moment of revelation (I love those moments when God impresses something upon you, and you realize he was using a moment to teach you). In that moment I felt God explaining to me that He handles us this exact same way. We request things when we talk to him in prayer, and sometimes His answer is ‘No’. But his ‘No’ is like ours to our children; it is full of love, protection, and guidance. It isn’t the intentional hurtful ‘no’ we sometimes mistake it for. It is the response of a loving, knowing, wise Father that sees our request, and the path it could lead us down, and he says – ‘no’. But his ‘no’ doesn’t stop there. His ‘no’ eventually leads to a ‘yes’ that is in His will and part of His plan.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

Psalms 37:23

The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Psalms 32:8

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

God’s word is packed with promise of goodness, hope, and encouragement, and they were written for you and for me.

Think it over:

Have you experienced the ‘no’ of God and later experienced the power of His ‘yes’?

Have you found yourself awestruck, and thankful that He said ‘no’ to your plan, and found the perfection of His?

Are you in the midst of the ‘no’ wondering what good could possibly come of it? If so, I encourage you to read these four verses. Read them multiple times throughout your day. These are promises for you. This is truth which if you trust it – you will live in reality of his promise.

Today is your day, start it off right, acknowledge His plan is higher than ours. Choose Him.