Green Beans – Devotion 167 – SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY

We had to start Leo on a healthy eating plan. According to the vet, he is carrying more weight than he should. I think he looks just fine, of course. But he is my buddy. And he gets pretty much anything he wants. He can talk any family member into giving him whatever just by looking so cute. He hangs his sweet head over your arm and it is difficult to resist. Leo doesn’t get that he needs to lose weight. He doesn’t understand that we have to cut down on the amount of treats and snacks he gets. So we had to make some adjustments for his good.

Now we give Leo green beans and carrots where we would have normally given him bacon and french fries. I know, it sounds almost cruel. Don’t be fooled, he still gets some of these things – just not as much. But for his health, we had to help him make better decisions. We had to help guide him in the right direction – in a way that would keep him with us for as long as possible. He brings so much joy to our home and we just want the best for him.

As much as we love Leo, I am amazed at how much more God loves us. I am not near as cute as Leo. I am much fussier and a bit mouthy. I am not always easy to deal with. And yet, God still does more than tolerate me. He loves me with a love that goes beyond my human comprehension. And God wants the best for me, too. Sometimes that means I don’t always get what I want. Many times that means the things I think I want are actually harming me. I need God to help me to make good decisions so that I can serve him as long as he would have me to serve. I need him to help me take care of his creation and not just do what I want. Sometimes he has to replace my french fries with green beans. I may not see that as a good thing. But God understands what is best for me and my job is to trust him and love him. I know God has plans for me and they are good. I know because he loves me. And he loves you too.

So today may be filled with green beans – but that may be exactly what we need. Enjoy the goodness God has given you. Smile at the joy in the simple things. And know God is trying to help steer us to what is best.

Focus Scripture:

Matthew 7:11

¹¹If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!