(Jesus said) "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" Mathew 7:11

You've heard of "taking candy from a baby"?

This year, right after Halloween, two Pennsylvania dentists offered $1 a pound to parents and children who turned in candy that had been collected on Halloween.

With the very best of intentions, they said the cornucopia of calories would be sent overseas to boost the morale of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

When I heard of their idea, I thought this was fantastic! Everybody wins. The children get to keep their teeth; the dentists get some much-needed good publicity, and the GIs get a cool package from home.

Then I had a second thought. I wondered just how many dollar bills the dentists had to lay out.

Think about it for a moment.

How many of your children would be willing to give up their sugary snacks? I mean they had gotten all dressed up, rung a gazillion doorbells, and received all kinds of stuff they didn't like or want. And now mom and dad wanted to take away the bounty.

I don't think that would go over too well. Do you?

Can't you just hear the screams: "No, Mommy! No! Don't give my candy to the dentist. He doesn't like candy. I want to keep it. I worked hard for it!"

This is probably the way we sound to God. As our Heavenly Father, there are times when He takes things away from us we want to keep.

At such times we need to remember: one of the great principles of Scripture is that God, our Creator and Sustainer, will always do what is right and best for us. Did you get that? Being all wise and all loving He always does that which is always right for His children, even though those children might not approve or appreciate His actions or His thoughts?

This is probably why Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy will be done."

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks for my salvation that was won by Jesus. Today I also give thanks for all the things You have done which my unappreciative heart might normally skip over. Lastly, may I be taught to be thankful even for the things You have taken away from me because those things are not good for my physical or spiritual well-being. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Lamentations 1-2    Hebrews 12

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