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Muffins In A Mailbox: Destiny and Delays

By Bonnie Gray • October 19, 2009 • 14 Comments

Grocery shopping with a three year old toddler and a seven month old baby can get tricky. With a twenty-pound CJ strapped in a baby carrier on me, I push a fidgety TJ in cart, navigating the aisles and a banana-and-milk check list.

It’s always a race to the finish. So, when your child asks to buy some cupcakes, it’s important to talk him down slowly, rather than say just say no.

“Good idea!  Let’s get them next time.”   

This round, however, goes to TJ, because his request turned out to be a selfless act.

“But, Mommy…” TJ protests. “Daddy is sick! I think blueberry muffins will make him feel better!”

Back at home, I unload the groceries, baby chews on a bib and TJ sits at the table.  With a mouth full of muffin and a glass full of milk.

As I restock the fridge, shaking my head in humor, my preschool son restores my hope in the joys of parenting.

“Mommeee!” TJ calls out, after a gulp to wash down some cake. “These muffins are gooood… Why don’t we get these muffins to Daddy right now?!”

“That would be nice, wouldn’t it?” I holler back, keeping the volley of conversation in his court.

In a moment of genius, TJ gets inspired.

“I know!… Let’s put some muffins in the mailbox! Then, the postman can pick it up and put it in Daddy’s mailbox at work.  He can eat it at work and be happy right away!”

Makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? Put a muffin in the box and have it delivered.  Piece of cake.

As far as my little buddy was concerned, he had it all figured out.

After all, he didn’t know that mail doesn’t get processed in an hour.  Last I checked, they haven’t invented Star Trek-like food replicators, that instantly synthesize pastries on demand.

Muffin In a Mailbox Thinking

muffinLike my sweet boy, I can’t help but get excited that I have a direct line into God.  He can do anything in an instant.

And that’s where I trip up.

I’ll come up with an awesome idea or solution about my life.

You know, God.

… That dream that’s been put on pause and waiting for you to press “play”?

… That breakthrough I’ve been quietly praying about?

… How about that “thing” I’m trusting you with?

When prayers aren’t answered and the fog isn’t lifting, I think God is delayed.

Trouble is, how can I say God is late, if I don’t have the schedule?

I’m just like TJ, wanting to put my muffin into the “magic box” and have it go where I want.  When I want.

God Delivers Destiny On Schedule

I’ve got to quit trying to figure out God’s schedule and setting up my own.

Yeah, God’s schedule.

Like a horse being trained to turn circles, God brings me back to the same starting point for faith:

God knows where He needs to get me, and He will get me there.

Faith is designed to keep us holding onto God.  As such, there are some things that we just don’t know.

When our lives don’t appear to match up with our destiny, God tells us to relax into His sovereignty.

He’s got everything under His control.  His purpose will prevail.

Right on time.

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.  Proverbs 19:21

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14 Comments

  • Reply Kelly Langner Sauer October 19, 2009 at 4:25 am

    wow – mine didn’t hit 20lbs until she was over a year old. that grocery shopping with two kids thing scares me!

    Terrific post with a timely reminder.

  • Reply *Michelle* October 19, 2009 at 4:55 am

    This is brilliant: “…….how can I say God is late, if I don’t have the schedule?”

    I have this written on our whiteboard on our fridge….four words that are so powerful and never come off (probably also due to the fact that I grabbed a permanent marker instead of a dry erase one)

    anyway…it says

    Delay is not denial.

    I love that. Thought you might too.
    Have a beautiful day……

    peace and love~
    *~Michelle~*

  • Reply Glynn October 19, 2009 at 6:07 am

    I’m slightly older than your toddler, and I still think like that, 90 percent of the time. 🙂 Good post, Bonnie.

  • Reply Tweets that mention Dealing With Delays: God Delivers Destiny On Schedule | Faith Barista -- Topsy.com October 19, 2009 at 6:14 am

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Glynn Young, Glynn Young. Glynn Young said: Muffins in the Mailbox by @The BonnieGray. http://bit.ly/s5gD2 […]

  • Reply Bridget Chumbley October 19, 2009 at 8:38 am

    In the world of ‘I want it now’, it is hard to remember that things happen on God’s schedule and not our own. I’m the most impatient person ever… thanks for the eloquent reminder, Bonnie.

  • Reply Jennifer October 19, 2009 at 9:29 am

    I love how children think… fully with their heart! It is beautiful and inspiring! I keep reminding myself… God has perfect timing, we may not think so at the time, but HIS timing is always perfect! Thank you for this great post!

  • Reply Billy Coffey October 19, 2009 at 9:29 am

    This post pretty much sums up my life, Bonnie. And I couldn’t have said it better myself. But the wait is worth it. Always worth it.

  • Reply Russell Holloway October 19, 2009 at 11:45 am

    “Trouble is, how can I say God is late, if I don’t have the schedule?” Nice. Thanks Bonnie.

  • Reply Heather Sunseri October 19, 2009 at 12:43 pm

    You mean I’m not supposed to have my own schedule all planned out? Then, what is God supposed to laugh at? Great post, Bonnie! The best things in life are difficult, even waiting and trusting that Father knows best.

  • Reply Maureen October 19, 2009 at 12:52 pm

    OMG! Too precious! I love your son’s way of thinking!!! And, I absolutely love that verse! I need to read it every day 🙂

  • Reply Anne Lang Bundy October 19, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    What I’ve come to appreciate about waiting (AFTER the fact) is that in waiting our trust is strengthened, and the Lord rewards those who wait upon Him for the waiting itself.

  • Reply Bonnie Gray October 21, 2009 at 3:06 am

    @kelly: CJ is in the 90% in height and weight. And people wonder how I lost the pregnancy weight! .. It scared the daylights out of me pre-birth. But, you manage and .. survive. LOL. You’ll get the hang of it! 😉
    @Michelle: LOL. Delay is not denial. Love that.
    @Glynn: LOL. You guys are good a making me laugh.. Me, too, Glynn.
    @Bridget: Yeah, me too. 😉
    @Jennifer: It’s priceless what I learn from my kids. They inspire me in so many ways, I can’t keep track!
    @Billy: Thanks, Billy. I thought of your long and winding story, that has turned out so full of purpose. Congrats again!
    @Russell: Thanks, Russell!
    @Heather: “Then, what is God supposed to laugh at?” LOL. Yeah, huh?!
    @Maureen: Same here! Like EVERY day! 🙂
    @Anne: Yeah, there is some value in looking behind – ‘cuz I realize I learned something! Thanks, Anne!

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