Minnie Mouse Dresses and God

You may be wondering what God has to do with Minnie Mouse dresses, but I assure you there is a connection … or at least something I remembered about God because of a Minnie Mouse dress.

It started with a 5-minute trip to Walmart.  You know, the ones where you just have to run in for one thing, end up with an entire cartful, and walk out almost two hours later!  Each of my big kids needed something, which means taking the entire crew to the store. So as the older two each went to their respective places in Walmart, I took the five youngest (ages 3-9) to pick out the one thing I needed – socks for the 3-year-old (what could be more fun than picking out socks on your birthday!? Yep, it was his birthday and we were sock shopping!).  Anyways … upon entering the children’s clothing section, I saw that most of their summer items were on clearance.  As the newly turned 3-year-old will be potty training soon, that means changing up his entire wardrobe (no more onesies … and I am pretty sad about that as they are the easiest way to dress a little one and kids just seem so much more grown up without them!).  With shorts, pants, t-shirts, and even some dress clothes marked down, I got him completely outfitted for the next year for less than $50.

In the middle of all that, my 4-year-old daughter found “the most beautiful dress EVER!!!!!,” and it was on sale too.  But, unlike her brother, she had no need for new clothes. Plus the largest size they had available was only going to last her for a month or two tops.  And, lastly, it was only marked down by less than 20% and was not 50-75% off like the clothes I was purchasing for the baby.  So I said no.

And then I felt terrible!!!

She was pretty sweet about it.  Like most 4-year-olds she asked again (and again), but when she saw I wasn’t going to change my mind, she moved on. She mentioned it again when she talked to her Daddy and then again the next day … not asking anymore, just talking about “the most beautiful dress EVER!!!!”

And I felt even more terrible!!!

I knew it was the right decision.  She did not need the dress, we did not need to spend the money that way, and it simply was not practical, but that did not make it easy to say no and I really struggled with feelings of guilt as a result.

The next day as I was driving alone in the car after dropping my oldest daughter off at work, I was recalling the situation.  I remembered the verse in Matthew 7 that talks about how an earthly parent wants to give good things to their children and how much more God wants to give us good things. But here is the thing: What we think is good (and what we really, really want) is not always good for us.  God knows best and gives us that which is truly good for us!

How thankful I am to serve a God who knows exactly what is best for me and lovingly says, “No” when needed! Saying ‘no’ is not an easy task when we know someone wants something, but sometimes we must say no for a very good reason!

Thank you, Father, for the times You have said no because You know what is best!!

The next time God says no, remember to thank Him! He really does know best!

As a final thought – like the parent who knows that the right answer is no but ultimately gives in, sometimes God says “yes” because we absolutely refuse to accept no as the answer. In the end, despite knowing what is best, He sometimes gives us our demands so He can use that lesson for our good.

Persistent prayer is good and right (see Luke 18:1-8), but even our most persistent prayers need to be prayed as “Not my will, but Thine be done,” having a heart attitude that acknowledges that we truly do want God to say “no” if no is the best answer.