Sometimes

Sometimes,
I think of you as a genie in an Aladdin's lamp, all I have to do is rub the side and my wish is granted.
Sometimes,
I treat You as though You were a gumball machine, put the coin in and out pops what tastes good.
Sometimes,
I think of You as a Santa Claus, all I have to do is be good in my own eyes, and all that I want is given to me because of my goodness.
Sometimes,
I picture myself as a rhetorician that has only to speak the right words and all will be right.
Sometimes,
I see You as a drive-through window, out of a list of things I see, all I have to do is tell You which I want and it is given.
Sometimes,
after not even giving You the time of day, I ask You for protection for my family as if You were secret service agent promised to protect and defend.
You have condescended to me to be my friend. The God who created all things.
The God who gave His only Son on my behalf.
I always want more.
Give me a good life, a successful ministry, friends, children who love You, protection from all ills.
Instead,
Give me grace to adore You when You say no.
Give me grace to worship You when things are withheld.
Give me grace to praise You even when life is unraveling,
for all to see that You are worth living for

because

You alone are worthy, and allow me to call You Father, Friend, Savior, and Redeemer.

Sometimes.......