Where I work I meet all kinds of people, but like most businesses, we have our "regulars." I was told Sam, one of our regulars, was quite the character. I smiled as I was introduced.

"How do you do, Sam?"

"Not so good, honey," as she proceeded to tell me just what was wrong with her. She had been sick lately, and as it turned out, two of my fellow workers shared her ailments.

"Well, I'll tell you what I did," declared Sam. "I went to the doctor and set him straight! I told him, `I want a shot of steroids, 300 cc's of....a prescription for.... and and I listened as Sam rattled off an impressive array of treatments that sounded sure to cure anyone of anything.

"Wow, Sam! What'd I tell you? A character!" One of the workers elbowed me and winked.

"No, I don't mess with doctors. They don't know what they're talking about! Too full of themselves and what they think they know!" declared our regular customer. Curiosity overwhelmed me.

"And how long have you been sick, Sam?" I asked. "Over a month! But I think I'm starting to get over it."

Do we not often treat our Creator with the same respect? Often, we make demands of Him, confident we know what is best for us, whether in the present or in the future. Unfortunately, we often delay our own blessings by obstinately pursuing our own path, our own wisdom, our own desires. But the Lord reveals what will make us truly happy when we listen to HIM: "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it." Ps. 37:4-5

The Lord is waiting to bless us, but blessings only come when we hear HIS voice and abide by HIS will. How long has our God waited to heal us of our sickness, save us from our own failures, only to hear us childishly demand for a worthless alternative to His blessings, because we think we know better than He does (Jer. 10:23)? I am reminded of the prophecy of Isaiah as the Lord called out for His people: "`Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live..."' Isa. 55:3 and again of the prophecy of Jeremiah: "`For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, `plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."' Jer. 29:11

We may think we know best, but we must listen to the Lord! Only then will we find the happiness, the peace we seek.

Justin Dobbs