June 20: "No" Is An Answer

Time Zone complications. All systems go. -Jana

Dad can I _________? I hear this numerous times a day. Can I have a snack, watch a movie, play outside....the list is endless. I try very hard to be a good father, which means sometimes I have to say "no" to these requests. No, you can't have a snack we're eating supper in five minutes. No, you've already watched a movie today, find something else to do. No, you can't play outside, there's a 35 below windchill.

I don't always say no, and I think I have a good reason for doing so when I do, but to be a good father, saying no is necessary sometimes. Mainly because I have the ability to see more of the big picture than a 6 or 8 year old.

Why is it then that when God says no to a prayer, we say he didn't answer it? People even take this to its "logical" end -- if God doesn't answer prayers, there must not be a God. Of course, the logic here is that of a young child -- if you keep telling me no, I'm going to throw an I'm-not-going-to-be-your-friend-anymore tantrum.

In fact, even Jesus got "no" as an answer. Right before he was arrested, tried and put to death, Jesus prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42

This is not to suggest that God's will and our requests are always at odds, or that we shouldn't bother to ask since God will do what he wants anyway. As a father, there are many times that I do say yes to my children. Yes, you can have a snack. Sure, you can watch a movie. Of course you can play outside, it's a beautiful day.

Don't be afraid to ask God for anything, but don't feel abandoned and neglected if he says "no" or "wait awhile". If we can understand why an imperfect earthly father would say these things out of love, doesn't it make sense that our heavenly father, who is perfect and the creator of love, would say them too.