On Nagging God…

“At that time I pleaded with the Lord: ‘O Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan—that fine hill country and Lebanon.’ But because of you [referring to the Israelites] the LORD was angry with me and would not listen to me.
 
‘That is enough,’ the LORD said. ‘Do not speak to me anymore about this matter.’” (Deut. 3:23-26)

 

My son has perfected his nagging. How do I know this? Because, more often than not, I’m officially nagged. Weary worn from his tactics of repeated negotiations and hugely bothered by the fact that he doesn’t know when to quit… when my “no” is a “no” and why it isn’t wise to cross over that line. For the record, I’m not much of a “no” momma, so when a “no” rolls off my tongue, I think, perhaps, it confuses my son and fuels his will for the debate.

Just a little more persistence, just a little more obnoxious determination, and I’ll wear her down.

Sometimes it works, especially when he was younger. But now that he’s approaching puberty (and I’m approaching forty-six), he’s got less wiggle room for negotiation tactics, and I have less patience for entreating them. Things might be easier now if I’d have said more “no’s” to the dinosaurs at the Dollar Tree when he was three years old, but there’s a huge divide between dinosaurs that cost a dollar and purchases that exceed that amount by fifty times. Fifty dollar purchases must be weighed carefully in any household, and for a boy who’s prone to whims over reason, even more so.

Nagging notions + wasteful spending = selfish, temporary pleasure.

I know. I’m not so unlike my son, especially when it comes to nagging God about something rather than letting his “no” come home to roost in my heart as acceptance. Fortunately, I have a bit of age and life experience that allow me to sometimes see past temporal gain. I know something of nagging and wasteful spending and winding up with far less than what I’d hoped for. Accordingly, when I now receive a “no” from God, I’m more willing to accept it without need for further explanation. God sees better than me, and his forecast for my future is more expansive and far lovelier than what currently can be seen from my dining room window.

Moses was a nagger, not so unlike my son and me. He, too, wanted something he couldn’t have—immediate access to the Promised Land. Unlike me, he had open access to a conversational God and didn’t have to wonder about God’s response to his desire.

“That is enough,” the LORD said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter.”

God shut Moses down, because God saw better than Moses—a future more expansive and far lovelier than the current reality claiming Moses’ feet. God saw past the earthly Promised Land. God saw the Promised Land of eternal consequence. God saw heaven. God saw home. And God knew that saying “no” to Moses’ nagging was a gain for everyone in the end. Moses would no longer have to deal with an obstinate people; instead, Moses could go directly through the gates of forever and live in peace with his God, his Friend.

Nagging notions + God’s understanding = limitless, eternal pleasure.

Sometimes, we just have to wait for it, friends.

How much energy are you wastefully spending in nagging negotiations with God today? When have you heard his “no” only to be confronted by your willful “yes”? If, by all accounts, you’ve been given a “no” by God, then will you trust that it is for your good and for your gain?

Today, as I’m sitting at my dining room window and contemplating all things Jesus, I am tenderly and willingly confronted by God’s rebuke to Moses. I receive it as my own and fall to my knees in conviction for the nagging agitation that I’ve contributed to his ruminations in recent days.

That is enough, Elaine. Do not speak to me anymore about this matter.

God sees better than me, and his forecast for my future is more expansive and far lovelier than what currently can be seen from my window.

Nagging notions + God’s understanding = limitless, eternal pleasure.

Knowing this… I know enough. Canaan is the eternal “yes” that allows me to see beyond God’s “no.” Today, I rest there while living here, and all is well with my soul.

Blessed, sweet peace for the journey.

PS: From a random drawing, the winner of Lisa’s book and a set of Cindy’s cards is Denise! In addition, I chose Leah to also receive a set of cards from Cindy. Ladies, please check out Cindy’s etsy shop and let me know which design you’d like. Once I receive them from Cindy, I’ll send them to you.

21 Responses to On Nagging God…

  1. Oh I had to giggle about your son and puberty. Being 46 and having twins I get it double at times. Thought why don't they get it? Then I thought why don't I get it? Great post.

    Blessings my friend

  2. kids bring us to His reality so often, don't they?!
    praying your son sees Elaine's way beyond his own, hahah!
    my daughter gets answers from her daddy on those things she might not mention to me now that she's in college…he's so easy, hahah
    I gain hope in knowing how faithful Moses was yet even he had some times resting on God's decisions
    May we all lay it down knowing He wants the best for us and from us.

  3. Great wise words to this little girl heart of mine that tries many angles with her Jesus! But I need to listen too…and hear Him and obey!

  4. Hi, Congrat's to Denise for winning Lisa's book and Cindy's cards.
    I love this post and have found in my life that often I try to throw temper tantrums, only to have the Father grant me what I wish when it wasn't the best for me. I've learned that lesson but often still nag. Thanks for this post-a great reminder.
    Hugs tonight. Noreen

  5. Elaine,

    Thank you for sharing this message–relate-able in different ways for many of us I'm sure. You said it all here: "Sometimes, we just have to wait for it, friends." To that I say, Amen!

    Congratulations to Denise! She is so precious and I'm glad that she won the book. Thank you again Elaine for sharing my book on your blog.

    God's richest blessings to you and your family!

    Blessings and love,
    Lisa

  6. When I saw the verses in your post I almost laughed. I'm studying Deuteronomy and last week that's exactly where I was.

    I thought it was so funny when God told Moses, His face-to-face friend, that THAT IS ENOUGH.

    I know He tells me that too when I become what our family calls "Wendy Whiner."

    Thanks so much for being faithful to write what God desires. I get so much out of your blog.

    Thank you, sweet friend.

  7. A very timely post for me, Elaine. Our family received a very painful "no" from God today. It hurts, but there is much comfort in knowing that His "no" comes from a loving heart and like you said, He sees everything so much better than we can. It's good to rest in Him…

  8. Yea, I won, I am so excited. I would love the pink carnation cards. Thanks so much. My address is Denise Oldham-510 Central Drive Apt. 1502 Chattanooga Tennessee 37421

  9. I've nagged God for years about my daughters. Pleaded really. I haven't gotten the answer I want/need but I've slowed down on the nagging trying to trust that He will do what is best and in His time. Difficult to do but this reminder was helpful. blessings, marlene

  10. "Today I rest there while living here and all is well with my soul"! And as I read it over and over again, peace covers me. Thank you!

    It was a good reminder today as I catch myself nagging Him…and all the time knowing He heard me the first time and even before I uttered my first plea! Yes, sometimes we just have to wait for it!

  11. oh that nagging spirit, I know it too! What a great blog Elaine, for all of us 'naggers' to hear. Timely reminder.

  12. It's always such a pleasure to read your posts, Elaine. You have a wonderful way with words. Reading about your son made me smile. I can so relate. Thankfully mine left the roost almost ten years ago and I no longer have to deal with the 'no' phase. I've got some years on ya, girlfriend!
    Don't worry, once this phase is over another will take it's place… :/
    Blessings ~ Danie

  13. Hi –

    I love this that you expressed,
    "God sees better than me, and his forecast for my future is more expansive and far lovelier than what currently can be seen from my window."

    How right you are, lady, how right you are.

    May GOD help us all to know, according to His will and schedule.

  14. 'Course there's always Jesus' story about the insistent, nagging neighbor who finally gets the person out of bed to give him some bread…

    Maybe your son has been spending too much time in the New Testament and is unable to discern the difference between nagging and persistence!

    Another great topic/post, Elaine. May God continue to bless your thoughts, words, and skills.

  15. "God sees better than me, and his forecast for my future is more expansive and far lovelier than what currently can be seen from my window."

    This is so lovely! Thank you. I am approaching 46 as well. My children are 10, 8, 5 and 3. I didn't choose to give birth in my 40's and be looked at oddly, but "it's been more expansive and far lovelier than what was currently seen from my window."

    Thank you for the reminder!

  16. That is some wise words! And thank you for sharing that verse… gives me something to chew on today!

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