Recounting a recent conversation between my daughter and my nearly three-year-old granddaughter, I was reminded of the struggle it can be to let go of control in our lives. (Disclaimer: Gracie is as joyful and sweet as they come...but the inner struggle occasionally gets the best of all of us, whether we are two or ninety-two years old.)K: Gracie, you haven't been potty since this morning. You've had a lot to drink and you need to go potty before you take your nap.
G: I don't need to go.
K: Yes, you need to go.
G: No, I'm not going potty. I can hold it.
K: You will try before you go to bed. Gracie, you are not going to win. I'm going to win. You might as well go potty now.
G: No, I will win. I'm the boss.
K: (With eyes bulging and praying to keep her cool amidst the sassiness) What?! You are not the boss. And you will go to the potty now or be disciplined!
G: (Knowing discipline is eminent) I'm going potty! You and daddy are the boss! You and daddy are the boss!
Sounds rather two-year-oldish, right? Well, I can certainly relate to the struggle. I can struggle with letting God be in control (as if I could possibly be in control of God, anyway). I can think I must figure it out, work it out...anything but faithfully waiting and trusting. I am reminded of the discourse between God and Job. After God questions Job (on who is in control) Job replies:
Then Job replied to the LORD: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.' My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." --Job 42:1-6 (NIV)
