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“But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.” Psalm 52:8 (ESV)

“There’s no need for me to tell you what I want because you wouldn’t give it to me anyway.”

Those words spilled from my sweet friend Jane’s lips and stung like darts piercing our hearts. She was in hospice care, and we her bestie group of three sat around her bed eagerly wanting to help. However, Jane couldn’t swallow food or liquids and that is exactly what she wanted. In fact she begged repeatedly for the one thing she couldn’t have, but we were powerless to honor her request.

Wonder if we ever find ourselves in a similar place where giving up on the asking is the only solution. Sometimes, we grow weary, exhausted and empty with our requests to God. We’ve rehearsed them tirelessly over and over again. We linger to hear just a simple whisper indicating things are about to change. We rephrase our requests. We even offer God solutions as if He really needed our help. We fast, pray and enlist a prayer team confident He will deliver what we desire. We bargain, plead and yes, even quote scripture to the One who breathed those words on the pages. All attempts to manipulate, maneuver, and align what we desire to happen. And when it doesn’t happen, we often simply shrug our shoulders and give up.

While fulfilling my friend’s request would have been detrimental, I still wish we could have given her just a drop of cool, refreshing water to soothe her lips. But doing so definitely would not have served her well. And the same is true in our lives when the “no” moves in. God is fully aware and totally capable of giving us anything. He is not limited or powerless, instead He is mighty, strong and all knowing; embedded in that “no” is a loving Father who desires the very best for us.

So sweet friend let’s not give up drawing near and sharing our hearts with God. Let’s not allow His “no” to silence our voice. Out of deep respect and awe, let’s surrender to His decision and continue sitting at His feet. A girl can’t go wrong when she fully trusts that God alone knows what is best.

“Father transform my desires to Your desires and teach me the joy of resting in Your “no.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life