If it were your daughter, would you still give the bracelet or change your mind?
There’s something about parenting that gives us a deeper glimpse into how God must feel toward us. We’re not just God’s children, we’re also parents. And sometimes, the clearest way to understand God’s heart is to imagine how we feel toward our own kids.
Let me take you into a moment that made this lesson hit home.
The Bracelet She Asked For
Picture this: your daughter asks for a bracelet. Nothing extravagant, just something gold-colored, maybe gold-plated. Simple. She wants it in two weeks. But what she doesn’t know is that you already had something better in mind.
You’ve been planning to give her a solid 21-carat gold bracelet with her name engraved on it, along with matching earrings. It takes four weeks to prepare, just in time for her birthday.
It’s the perfect gift. Thoughtful. Meaningful. Worth the wait.
But she doesn’t know that.
All she knows is what she asked for… and how long it’s taking.
Impatience in the Waiting
As the days go by, she starts to get impatient. Maybe she throws a tantrum. Maybe she grows quiet and pulls away. You can tell she’s upset, even if she doesn’t say a word, because you’re her parent.
You know her.
And in that moment, you wonder:
- Will she even appreciate the gift when it finally comes?
- Would you feel as excited to give it to her?
- Or would it sting a little…knowing you had something so much better in store, but all she showed was doubt?
What Trust Looks Like
Now, imagine a different version of that same story. She waits with grace. Not because she’s expecting something extravagant, but because she trusts you.
She believes you’ll come through. And while she waits, she doesn’t mope or sulk. She lives out what you’ve taught her. She’s kind. Patient. Loving. Not to earn anything, but because that’s just who she is.
Wouldn’t that make you want to bless her even more?
Wouldn’t your heart swell with joy watching her unwrap the gift you had planned all along?
How God Sees Us
That’s how I think of God.
I don’t always understand why some things take time. Why certain prayers go unanswered.
Why some doors close no matter how hard I knock.
But in those moments, I’ve started to ask myself:
What kind of child am I being right now?
Am I trusting my Father? Or am I quietly stomping around, saying “thank you” with my mouth while my heart sulks?
Learning to Wait Well
The truth is, we don’t always know what God is preparing. We don’t always understand the timing.
But I believe, truly, that whatever He withholds is for our protection, and whatever He gives is wrapped in love.
So while I wait, I’m learning to wait well.
Because maybe the thing I asked for is just gold-plated…
…and He’s preparing something solid.
A Final Reflection
So I’ll leave you with this:
Would you still give the bracelet or change your mind?
And if not, what kind of heart are we showing our Father?