Be thankful when you get something else

Dear God,
Thank you for the baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy.
— Children’s Letters to God

Sometimes we look around, assess the situation, and decide what we think we need. So we go to God and begin praying.

Out of the blue, our prayers get answered. But the answer isn’t what we requested. We were so specific, we think. Now, this—this thing—has come along. We didn’t get what we asked for. Our prayers were answered, but we got something else.

Don’t get bitter or so involved with feeling blue about not getting what you requested that you miss out on what you did receive. Wants and needs are closely connected. And all our needs, even the ones we’re not completely aware of yet, will be met. Be grateful that God knows more about what we need than we do.

Sometimes when we pray, we get what we want. Sometimes we get what we need. Accept both answers— the yes’s and the something else’s—with heartfelt gratitude. Then look around and see what your lesson and gift is.

God, help me remember to be thankful even when the gift is not quite what I expected.

From the book: More Language of Letting Go

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