New Perspective on Frustration

I mentioned in my last blog that I would write a few entries on this new book I've read called The Shack. If there was only one book I could recommend than this is it-and don't worry it is really thin! But, I have gotten a new perspective on the word "frustration"from reading this passage.

[God answering Mackenzie after he asked why not give up on us if we keep screwing up]
"Because that is what love does," answered Papa. "Remember Mackenzie, I don't wonder what you will do or what choices you will make. I already know. Let's say, for example, I am trying to teach you how not to hid inside of lies, hypothetically of course :-). And let's say that I know it will take you forty-seven situations and events before you will actually hear me-that is, before you will hear me clearly enough and change. So, when you don't hear me the first time I'm not frustrated or disappointed, I'm thrilled. Only forty-six more times to go. And that first time will be a building block to construct a bridge of healing that will one day-that being today-you will walk across."

This made me realize what human frustration and disappoint really were, not met "expectations." You can apply to any frustrating situation but since my stress point recently has been getting my toddler to go to sleep at night, I'll apply to that. I put my son to bed, expecting him to stay in bed. I get frustrated at the fact that he keeps getting out of bed. By the 6th time I walk into his room I'm starting to feel really frustrated, I'm expecting him to go to sleep now. Okay, nothing wronge with wanting your son to go to sleep. But, my expectation was that he would maybe only get out of bed twice and by the third time fall asleep, however, it is now the 7th time of walking into his room and I'm frustrated now. Now, let me apply the above "God" thought into this new scenario. I change my thoughts to I'm putting him to sleep and he will get out of bed many times, I don't know how many but he will eventually get tired and go to sleep. I am able to gently walk into his room thinking this is just one time closer to getting him to go to bed now and will help him in several weeks/months in going to bed on the first try. Does that make sense? Let me put into another perspective.

Does my love change for my son because he is not going to bed on the first, second or seventh try? Easy answer, no. God's love is the same, he doesn't have expectations for us or love us any less when we have strayed from him. Instead, he continues to gently whisper to us until we return to him. God knows our situation and our outcome. Though in my son's eyes I'm mean and horrible for him having go to sleep, I know that he will feel better in the morning with a good night's sleep and that it will be best for him in the long run. Though our trials and frustrations are hard and we don't understand them, God will use them and the choices we make for his ultimate good. They are our building blocks to the bridge of healing that gets us to Him.