God Is Not Our Fairy Godmother*

I love the story of Cinderella. A young girl, who longs for so many things, finds out she has a fairy godmother that will give her anything she wishes. More than once, I have wished for a fairy godmother with a magic wand! I find myself trying to put God in the role as my fairy godmother. I find scriptures that I see as a wish, and I wait for God to wave his magic wand.

For example: Philippians 4:19 (KJV): But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

There you go! There is the proof that God will give us whatever we want. After all, it even says he is rich. At a closer look God says, “needs,” not wants.

My twelve and nine year old boys always “need” the latest sixty dollar game from Game Stop. It is completely different when they need some new pants because they have outgrown their others. They do not see it from a parent’s perspective. They see it as a selfish, little child wanting things they don’t need, and needing things they don’t want. That is exactly the way God looks at us.

Matthew 17:11(NIV) says, If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

As parents we want to give good gifts to our children (emphasis on “good”). If my sons or daughters want candy or caffeine, we have to monitor it. If it is 8:00 at night, it isn’t a good idea. If they had asked for an apple or banana, we would have handed it over immediately.

We make the assumption that the gift we are asking God for is good, but he has our best interest at heart. What we may be asking for is not bad, but it is not what is best for us.

So, how do we pray with the right heart and motives? The best way to pray is to use the examples God gives us in His word.

Right before Jesus goes to the cross, he prays. Matthew 11:42 (NIV): He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

He prayed this prayer three times, but the answer was no. Jesus completely understands our frustrations when we pray, and it is answered no. Even Jesus, had to believe that God sees the big picture.

The more and more I pray about something I’m desperate about, the more I add, “your will be done.” I do not know about the future. God does! It only makes sense that I pray that way. Otherwise I am praying out of ignorance.

A fairy godmother gives you your wants and desires, but God gives you what is best for you. Armed with confidence that God is not our fairy godmother, but our Heavenly Father, we can learn to trust him for every need and want we have. He will always give us exactly what we need according to His will rather then what we want. There is also a small well-known fact with Cinderella’s godmother. Everything changed back at midnight. God doesn’t have a time clock. Once He gives, it is there forever with no conditions attached!

*Published in Christian OL Magazine and The Lookout