Sometimes The Answer's No

We live in an age where it's assumed we can have anything we ourselves think we're entitled to. The more mature among us know that's not true, and yet when we don't get what we're convinced we deserve, we get frustrated and angry, sometimes to the point that we are unkind to others. This isn't fair, but human emotion is nothing if not irrational.

I think this is in large part connected to the fact that most of us think we know everything these days. While it's true we are far more knowledgeable than we ever have been, "everything" is a gross exaggeration. One thing I've learned since going to college; we can go to school forever and still only have a basic understanding of this vast world we live in. Yet, despite this narrow picture we have of our lives, we still think we know best.

Well, if you haven't learned this already, just because you want something - just because you think you deserve it - doesn't mean you're going to get it.

This is a good thing.

Bertrand Russel once said, "Going without some of the things you want is an essential part of happiness." If we have everything we want, then really, what's the point of living? Sometimes we need things to go wrong so we have something to shoot for and provides us with ways to get better.

Sadly, this doesn't always mean that things are going to be easy. Oh, that it always could be, but really, would it even be worth it if it were?

As I'm pondering this idea, I just had a thought. Imagine if you will what life would be like if we got everything we wanted when we wanted it. From birth, life is easy sailing and full of blatant blessings and pleasures. What do you see? What does that version of you look like? How does that world appear?

Now, I want you to imagine Dudley Dursley. We all know him - the fat, spoiled, rotten boy that added torment to Harry Potter's life. From birth, his parents granted him everything he wished for nearly the moment he wished for it. Dumbledore said that the Dursleys did greater damage to their own son than they ever did to Harry because they granted him everything.

Now, lay these images side by side - the one of the alternate you and of Dudley Dursley. Tell me, do you see much difference?

If there is a heavenly parent caring for us out there - and I believe there is - then I think He loves us far too much to destroy us like that. We have a narrow picture of our own lives - He has the big picture of eternity. So I think sometimes when we ask Him for things, the answer will be "No."

This is a good thing. What's the point of being here if we can't grow and improve through our limits? It's hard and painful, but we're going to be okay. According to Bertrand Russel, we're even going to be happy. So hang in there, because you know what? It's not only the good things that will be denied us.