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My request was simple, straight forward, and impossible to misunderstand. Or so I thought. “Please
bring me some Russell Stover Low Carb candies.” I even described the bright red package and listed the
flavors that I preferred.
The box of goodies finally arrived, thoughts of its content making my mouth water. I’d waited so long,
rationing myself of my quickly dwindling stock.
 O the joy and thrill watching packages cascading out of the box! Then I noticed that the packages were green and not red. Hmmmmm
Looking more carefully I discovered that instead of being low in carbohydrates, they were low in sugar! Yes they were exactly the flavors that I’d requested, but they were Stover’s “Sugar
Free Candies” and not their “Low Carb candies.”
I wasn’t sure who I felt sorrier for, me or the dear friends who took so much time, effort and money to
send me this treasure trove of love. What they meant to be a blessing for me would now have to bless
someone else.
The same thing happened a week later. This time I’d had advance notice that what had been purchased
wasn’t “exactly” what I’d asked for; but the friend of a friend “was sure it would work.”
It wouldn’t
Again time, effort and finances had been spent to be a blessing but fell short of the mark.
I was challenged wondering how often I have done the same, assuming that I can make just a slight change or deviation from God’s instructions. Yet He says, “If you love Me, obey Me.”
He makes a request - simple and specific. The request might not be earth shaking or life changing, but it’s a desire that will bring Him pleasure. And it will require something on our part, probably an inconvenience or two.
We respond with love, energy, time, devotion and finances. But we don't follow
directions! Probably not deliberately. Perhaps by an oversight. Or perhaps the request doesn't make sense or we wonder why we have to do it His way. Maybe we don't have "enough" time or energy. There are a thousand reasons. But we do something that He hasn't asked us to and hope it'll still be a blessing to Him.
It isn’t.
Then there are the others who are equally as sincere, but totally disregard His instructions, choosing instead to bless Him in their own way. Again, much devotion, commitment, time and energy goes into their trying to bless God...but without even attempting to follow His instructions. They hope it'll be a blessing.
It's not!
O how convicted and convinced I am of the crucial importance to follow His directions exactly. His request might - and probably will- require a change of MY plans, MY dreams, MY agendas. His request might - and probably will - require a dying to my flesh.
So I need to make continual decision of whether I really want to bless the heart of my Father and my God?
I rest in the knowledge that He won't love me any less or any more than He did the day He sent His Son to die for me. I am secure in His love. Nevertheless, I do want to bless Him with instant and total obedience.
Thank you dear friends for sending the "wrong" candy.
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