So Much Better

Friday, January 31st
So Much Better!
Pastor Bob Cooney

When my brother and I were kids, my father took my brother to a rock concert in Philadelphia for my brother’s birthday. Because this was SO out of character for my dad, I was SO jealous that I missed out on this moment because I was deemed “too young”.

So, later that year, I asked to be taken to a concert – one of my favorite acts was coming to town. I was told, flatly, “No”.  I was so upset, “Well, Jim got to go see that band with Dad, why can’t I have this?!” I held onto that jealousy, envy, and resentment for quite some time.

What I didn’t realize was that my parents were protecting me. When my father and brother were at that concert, they were exposed to things that children should not be – drugs, drinking, you can imagine what else! I didn’t realize, because of my young age, that my father was giving me a much better present by NOT taking me to the concert.

Jesus said, “9 Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 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!” (Matthew 7:9-11 NIV)  

What I learned, after accepting Christ and applying His principles to my life, is that I shouldn’t be looking at what other people have done or have been given, but to focus on and ask God for what He has for me. His gifts are so much better!