“If at first something should happen to us that seems either good or bad, we have only to recall that it has been sent to us or permitted by a loving Father who is wiser than any physician. God knows what is good for us.” St. John Cassian.
Either good or bad.
Struggling to accept goodness from the Father might sound like a surprising idea.
At least in my own life, there are times where it’s actually more difficult to accept the good. Sometimes, I feel like the child going to the doctor’s office worried about getting a shot. And then toward the end of the appointment, you hear those blessed words: “You’re all done for today. Want a lollipop?”
A lollipop? What’s the catch? Maybe this is because next time, he’s going to give me ten shots!
I know it’s a childish example (that I’m not sure children actually think like that). Because children can be much better at simply accepting goodness. They are all too quick to take a lollipop, hopefully with a please and thank you.
It’s in our own fallenness that we learn to distrust the Father. Even though we receive the fish, we still think there must be a snake hiding somewhere.
Why does the Lord give us gifts? There are infinite reasons, but at the end of the day, the only reason we need to know is that He loves us. Let that be enough, and accept it.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we know You are a good and loving Father. Forgive us our distrust, forgive us when we doubt. Help us to believe that You want what is best. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Keep fighting the good fight. Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
