3 is enough

Does anyone remember the show from a LONG time ago called "8 is enough"? Well, that was my dream, maybe not 8 but I wanted to have a big family. When I got married my husband told me he only wanted 2. I got him to compromise to 4 so things were going to be great! Five years after we were married, we had our first child. Brian, my husband then told me 1 was enough. I waited patiently, or rather not too patiently for him to change his mind. When our oldest child was 10 months old we got pregnant. I was then informed again that 2 was enough. I waited again. This time a bit more patiently because I had gone back to college so I had plenty to occupy my time. As graduation grew closer I began to talk of number three. My husband agreed and in March of 2009 we welcomed our little boy into the world:) Some would be done at this point but not me because I am "goal oriented." I get an idea in my head and then I seek to make it happen. God, however had a different plan for me. "3 is enough, 3 is enough," I kept hearing Him say to me. For a while I played a game with my husband and with God. I would say, "Yes, Brian or Lord. I am fine with 3. Oh yes, three is a wonderful number!" All the while I was hoping my husband and God would let me have four. I was so blinded by my own desires. I actually believed that if my mouth told God 3 was enough, I could manipulate Him to get what I wanted. God cannot be manipulated and through my quiet time with Him, He has asked me to lay my desires down before Him. I may have wanted 4 children but God wants me to follow Him and stop striving for what I want. It hasn't been easy but I now have a peace that I know only comes from God. Without trying to trick God or my husband, I can truly say, "3 is enough."

What are you unwilling to give to God? What issue or person or area of your life are you grasping onto with all your might? Give it/him/her to God and He will give you rest.

Proverbs 3:5&6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.