When my daughter was in her last year of high school, we scheduled to have her senior pictures taken. We lived in Indiana and it was spring, so we were having plenty of chilly, rainy days. My daughter hoped to have some outdoor pictures taken as well as indoor shots, so I began thanking the Lord for good weather, specifically a warm, sunny day.
The day came and sure enough the sun shone brightly. I was pleased with the wonderful weather and thanked the Lord for the answer to my request. After the indoor shots, we headed outside for more picture opportunities. The photographer mentioned the challenges of taking outdoor pictures in bright sunshine. He explained how too much sunlight makes it difficult to get correct lighting in a photo.
“I didn’t know that!” I told him. But I didn’t tell him this was the exact weather I had ordered. I got precisely what I had wanted only to find out it wasn’t what I should have wanted and prayed for. Thankfully, the photographer was excellent and got some nice outdoor shots in spite of my sunshine.
I was reminded me of the times I think I know what is best for my life instead of asking the Lord. Sometimes what I have been praying for isn’t really what I need, and not what God wants for me. God sees the big picture. He knows the end from the beginning and is much wiser than I. The only way to get what is best is to trust God’s way instead.
“He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.
Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose.”
Psalm 25:9, 12 (NLT)
God knows what is best.