JANUARY 5, Isaiah 55:9

“That is going to be neat when it is done,” said Angie as she watched her mother work on a patchwork quilt. Mother smiled. “I hope so,” she replied.“This project is very special to me.”She picked up a few of the fabric squares. “Do you recognise these pieces of material?”

“Are some of them scraps from dresses I used to wear?” asked Angie.

Mother nodded. “Yes, and they remind me that God’s way is best,” she said. “You see, I used to become very disappointed and angry when I didn’t get my way. I would even get upset with God when He didn’t answer my prayers the way I wanted.”

“Really?” asked Angie. She was eager to hear her mother’s story. “How do these quilt pieces remind you of that?”

“Well,” said Mother, “before you came to live with us, I wanted a little baby very much. I prayed that we would be able to adopt one right away. But that did not happen. Your father and I prayed and prayed, and we waited and waited. I sometimes felt angry at God for not giving me my way.”

“But then you got me,” Angie said.

“That is just the point,” said Mother with a smile. “I didn’t get my way. God had His way – and it was much better. God taught us so much during those years we were waiting. We learned a lot about patience and about trusting God to work out His best for us. And then, as you said, we adopted you.”

“If you had gotten a baby earlier, you might not have gotten me,” persisted Angie. “That is right,” agreed Mother. “That is why this quilt is such a special project to me. I am sewing together little remembrances from your life. It is my way of reminding myself how wonderful God’s way was – and is – for me.”

“Whenever I begin to feel unhappy because God doesn’t do things my way, I will try to remember that, too,” promised Angie with a smile.

Thought: Are you patient when you don’t get your own way?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me not to be insistent and impatient with the things I want. That would be disobedient and immature. Help me to desire Your ways for Your way is the best. Help me to trust You for Your perfect provision and perfect timing. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.