When He Says No

Every now and then I love to order a scrumptious soup and some healthy salads at home. The aroma fills my hall and makes me happy. It also reaches the keen nose of my little puppy Zen. He comes sniffing happily and gives me dopey looks to urge me to share with him.

Yesterday was no different. Zen usually begins his plea with giving woeful looks. He makes such woebegone faces, that surely ones heart would melt. When I don’t give him my food, he starts with small barks. When he realizes nothing is coming his way – and food is being consumed at a fast rate he starts trying to climb my lap and get a mouthful.

However, I stand my ground. Oh, not because I do not wish to share my food with Zen. I would do everything to make him happy. I know that the food I am eating is not good for him. He doesn’t know it. So he asks, and I say no. He asks again, and I say no again.

As the same actions unfolded yesterday, as it usually does when I order out, something strange happened. As Zen kept throwing me beseeching looks, a realization came forth and brought spontaneous tears to me. It struck me, that Zen has no way of understanding that the food I am eating is not good for him. I must be almost appearing mean and sadistic to him. But I was holding back because it was good for him. I only had the best intentions at heart for my little baby boy.

Spontaneous tears began to flow from my eyes as I realized this Truth. Every time in my life I was denied something by God – it wasn’t because He was being mean or a sadist. He was simply saying, “No my darling, it is not good for you!” Somehow this fact brought so much peace and bliss to me. It made me realize that His no’s could never be because He doesn’t love me enough, it is because He loves me too much. He only has the best intentions at heart for his baby girl.?

Either it’s not good for me, and I don’t know it. Or the time for me to get it has not yet come. Whatever His reasons, He knows that which I don’t – He understands, that which I may not – and most importantly, He sees, what I cannot.

It is such freedom to focus on the process. To do what I need to. Give my very best – and then leave the rest to him. The result can never be in my hands – it is always in His.?

The dilemma that we face is – we do not do what we can do, and we try to interfere in a domain where we have no say. If only we get the equation right – and give everything we have to getting the process right, and then surrender ourselves to the results – as He will give them, in measures, and at times that He deems right,?

How I wish I had some dog message to let my little one know – I am not giving you what you ask for because I love you. Fortunately, I feel I am finally beginning to understand at least a sentence of God’s message where he is urging me to realize – everything He is doing is because He loves me.

Ah, what a beautiful design.

Ah, what a beautiful life!

Focus on the process, surrender to the result – He knows what He is doing. And it is only going to be the best for me.