An iPhone upgrade

In 2015, few things are as important to an American teen as their cell phone.  I don't necessarily like this idea, but I have come to terms with the reality.  So, in our family, right now, we have a 17-year-old with an iPhone 4s (yes, please, be insulted.  She is!), and a 15-year-old with NO phone because he lost it about a month and a half ago (I know...child neglect).  I will not bore you with the details, but suffice to say, there has been MUCH conversation about this topic over the last 45 days.  The two teens have been out of the country on a mission trip for the last week (returning today), and the negotiations have still sporadically continued via text.  We have gone back and forth, and I thought we had actually reached a compromise yesterday morning, new iPhone 5s for both kiddos.  I had discussed this with the 17-year-old, and while reluctant, she had agreed to this solution (she really has no choice because, well, she has no money).  I was planning to surprise the 15-year-old.  At this point, he is going to be happy with ANY phone, so I wasn't worried.  After further research yesterday though, I found I could get them iPhone 6's for just $3 more per month.  I decided to surprise them both, but I had this text conversation with our daughter last night:

I laughed this off because I know the truth.  I know that I have ordered two iPhone 6's and they should arrive before the kids get home.  I plan to wrap them up, and leave them for them on their beds.  As I was thinking through this situation though, I realized how often our emotions blind us so we can't see what the Father is doing.  We rant and rage because we aren't getting exactly what WE want in OUR timing.  I know iPhones are really insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but I think we are often distracted by our own desires (material and immaterial).  So, I wrote this in hopes of using our situation as an object lesson.  Hope it makes sense...

In life, we have desires.  We want the best, and we are constantly trying to improve our circumstances, our way of life.  We often look past what we have been given, because we want the NEXT BIG THING. We take our ULTIMATE idea of what is best to the One who is in control, and we ask for that idea to become a reality.  We give a litany of reasons why we NEED for this desire to be fulfilled.  When the One doesn’t immediately grant our request, we become angry and frustrated.  We distance ourselves, but then realize the One is still in control of the outcome.  So, after we’ve worked through our anger and frustration, we begrudgingly go back to the One and attempt to renegotiate.  We know our version of "the best" does not always line up with the One's version, so even if we can’t have the ULTIMATE, maybe we can settle for something a little bit better than what we currently have.  The One asks us if we are sure will be content with “less than the best”, and we reluctantly agree.  We think we have it resolved…we think the One has agreed to our terms…only to discover that isn’t the case.  The One says, “Decided against the settlement.  We will talk more later.”  The anger and frustration rushes in again, and we strike out with words and actions against the One.  We ignore the One because we didn’t get our way.  We don’t want to “talk later.” We waste time sulking instead of trusting.  Eventually, because of circumstances beyond our control, the moment arrives when we must face the One again.  The One moves to embrace us, and the sentiment seems genuine on His part, but we are holding back.  We are clinging to our bitterness, and unwilling to let go of our entitlement.  After all, we deserve better.  We have endured  “the lowest” for long enough.  We are even willing to be content with “less than the best”.  Moments after our embrace, we have stepped away from the One, closed ourselves off, and we are alone again.  In front of us, right there in plain view, lays a package.  It appears to be the object of our desire.  We are hesitant to hope because we believe the One is trying to teach us something, using this situation to humble us.  We slowly tear away the wrapping paper piece by piece, until finally, the object of our desire is revealed.  And it isn’t our idea of compromise either.  It is the BEST…the top of the line.  The One has negotiated on our behalf, has orchestrated all of the details to give us the BEST.  The One has looked past our selfish anger and air of entitlement, and given us our heart’s desire.  It just happened according to the One’s timing, with His knowledge of what is truly best, and with a huge measure of His grace. 

Psalm 145