Father Knows Best

Sixteen year old Lance Edwards stood at the top of the steps and took a deep breath before he went to talk to his Dad. Lance desperately wanted to go visit his cousin Tom and spend the weekend with Tom and his friends at the Univ. of Florida. Tom had told Lance that this was a big football weekend in Gainesville and that there would be lots of parties going on. The thought of being around the college atmosphere was exciting to Lance, and the only obstacle between Lance and his big weekend was getting the "okay" from his Dad.

Lance presented his case to his Dad and was beyond furious when his Dad quickly said "No." "But why?" were the first two words that scrolled out of Lance's mouth. Lance's Dad replied that Lance wasn't ready for that atmosphere. He told Lance that there would be temptations in that setting that Lance, a youthful 16 year old, wasn't ready to tackle. He continued that he knew what was best in this situation and that Lance needed to trust him. Lance continued to shoot back how unfair this was because other friends his age were going, that his Dad must not love him because he wouldn't let him go, and that he just didn't understand why his Dad would do this to him.

That weekend in Gainesville, the Gators lost the big game. There were fights all over town. Tom and his friends were at a fraternity party when a fight broke out and Tom and several friends were arrested for assault that weekend. When Lance heard what had happened, he was so glad his Dad had not let him go to Gainesville that weekend. He thought, maybe Dad knows more that I give him credit for.....

Seems that we all have been a "Lance" at one time or another in our lives. We pray to God for a cure, a job, a spouse, etc and when things don't work out exactly as WE want, we start saying...."Why not", "This is unfair", "Everybody else does it", "God must not love me". God simply says... "TRUST ME!" Though we may hate to admit it, our earthly fathers usually do know what is best for us and our heavenly father always knows what is best for us . It may not be what we want, but we can always TRUST that God will do what is best for us in every situation. As time goes on, we can always see how God's decisions are always the best decisions.

God Bless!