I think most parents will agree with me when I say I want to provide for my kids. Especially when it comes to the essentials. I cannot fathom living day-to-day wondering how I’m going to meet all their needs. Unfortunately, life can be rough. And sometimes we have to withhold provisions from even our precious babies!

Yesterday Gideon had a second ABR (hearing test) in which he had to be sedated. And of course, with sedation comes starvation! I know it’s medically necessary, but withholding food from an infant? That’s just down right cruel! But this isn’t his first rodeo, so even though he knew the drill, he still protested. And rightfully so! The last time he had milk before his 9 am appointment was at 3 am! I’d protest too!

As Kevin and I were trying to console our screaming boy in the waiting room, we were talking about how much it sucks to withhold food from a hungry baby. And you know my man…wise old man that he is… He said, “It’s for his own good… Remember, sometimes God withholds things we need too.”

I just love my husband. He’s so right.

God knows what we need and yet sometimes he withholds those provisions. Even though He withholds, I imagine God still hurts for us. I like to think He cries with us even though He knows the final outcome will be better than anything else we could’ve imagined. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Thankfully Gideon’s test went well…for the most part. There were some minor hiccups because my baby boy doesn’t like sleep anyways, and just to show how hard headed he is, he woke up twice from sedation!! He gets that strong will/stubbornness from his father. (Love you babe).

Although it was heartbreaking to watch at the time, withholding food from Gideon was obviously in his best interest. You see we knew something he didn’t know. He didn’t understand that he could’ve aspirated and choked during the sedation, had we fed him. All he knew was the rumble of pain in his belly- telling him food was needed now! And he let us know all about it!

Isn’t that how we all respond when provisions are withheld? We cry out to God “I need  _________ now!” You can fill that blank with any need- a job, healing, relief, money, a child, a spouse, a miracle, etc. We often forget that God knows our needs before we ask. (Matthew 6:8)

Are you in need right now? Maybe you’ve been in need for months, maybe years. Though you have fervently prayed for that need to be met, maybe God has withheld answering that prayer. Would you trust Him that He has something better in mind? Or maybe you’re like me and you’ve pleaded desperately for God to heal your loved one. Although He is able, He may not…for reasons we may never understand this side of Heaven. The apostle Paul knew all about that. (2 Corinthians 12:7)

Hard as your situation may be, you can be sure of this- Something bigger and better is at work!! 1 Corinthians 2:9 (HCSB) says “What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind—God prepared this for those who love Him.” Even though it may cause us tremendous heartache and an abundance of tears, our suffering is NEVER wasted.

I believe God will provide. Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the air, they neither sow nor reap nor gather in barns, and yet your Heavenly Fathers feeds them.” But I also believe sometimes God allows us to stay in our continued state of longing so that we can persevere. After all our perseverance produces character, and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)

Gideon’s hope is in us to provide for his needs. He was hoping we would feed him; and because we knew something he didn’t, Gideon (unwillingly) had to wait. Would you put your Hope in Christ? And trust, just like an infant trusts his parents, that God will provide? Even if it’s not the outcome you were praying for…would you be satisfied to know that there’s purpose in the wait? God’s provisions are always worth the wait.