Unanswered Prayers

When I was young, I was childlike in my thinking. My world was quite small, and I thought of simple things. Playing, delicious food, my friends, riding a bike…those were the things on my mind. I did not see the opportunities and pitfalls that life had to offer. I did not know the dangers that existed and what words such as virtue and discipline meant. But my father did, and he loved me. And I, being a child, did not always like the way my father's love for me manifested itself.

When I asked for ice cream, he would sometimes give me a banana.

When I wanted to watch a movie, he would go outside with me and throw the baseball.

When I wished for a bunch of birthday presents, he would carefully select a few heartfelt gifts he thought were good for me.

I did not always understand this. Was it love if he was not fulfilling my every desire? How could it be love if he did not give me what I wanted?

Looking back, I now understand. What my father showed me was indeed love.

If I had made my own decisions about what to eat, I would likely be quite unhealthy today. There would also have probably been a constant ice cream shortage in my hometown.

If I had watched a movie whenever I wanted, then the development of my athletic and social abilities would have suffered. I would be a couch potato today.

If I had gotten all the presents I wished for, I would have grown up greedy and consumed by the lust for material things.

My father’s love for me was proven when he gave me not what I wanted but what I needed to prosper and grow. He did what was best for me because I was just a wee lad.

Today, I stand before my heavenly father. And often, despite being a grown man, I sometimes still feel like the little kid I was back then. My prayers are not always answered in ways that I see fit.

When I pray for courage, I am offered situations that stir up fear.

When I desire fulfillment, I learn to be content with what I already have.

When I ask to earn forgiveness, I see I have already been given it.

When I desire growth, hardship is placed before me.

So, when it seems like a prayer goes unanswered, I keep in mind that just as my father was wiser than me, God is wiser than me still now.

My prayers do not always get answered as I see fit.

And for that, I am thankful.