Ms.Sheila

"You Don't Know The Whole Story"

I am amazed at God. The past while I have had queries that troubled me. From reading scriptures, I had difficulties understanding the Oneness of the Trinity and wanted to know the 'why's to some nagging questions. Yet at the same time I squirmed wondering if I was out of line asking them. Questioning God? I've never doubted His presence or greatness for a moment, yet I had so many questions..... it wasn't a comfortable place to be.

I had allowed myself to give voice to questions I had about God's Word....not faltering in my belief, but quietly yelling in my heart, 'Not fair! Not fair!' to some of God's punishments.

Wanting some re-assurance, I spoke with someone I have great affection for who told me it was ok to ask God questions and she never offered any pat answers that I would have undoubtedly rejected. I will always trust her because of her honesty.
Today I was reading my words again, hoping to find a starting place to begin looking for my answers. I re-read where God had not allowed Moses to enter the Promised Land because he had disobeyed. A simple passage, but one that triggered a memory of a personal incident that ultimately opened my eyes.

A while ago, a young girl that I care for was extremely excited about going to the ballet for the first time. The ticket was purchased, we'd been shopping for new clothes and enjoyed a trip to the salon for a hairstyle. It was going to be a very special evening. While she was getting ready to go, there was an incident. She became vocal and I corrected her. The situation escalated until I finally said "If this continues you will not be permitted to go, so stop now." She didn't stop. I repeated what I said and she still did not stop. I remember looking at her and saying "I'm sorry, but you are not going anywhere. I asked you to stop and you didn't. Please go to your room." The fiasco that followed does not really matter. What is important was that for a moment it went through my mind "Sheila, you asked God why he wouldn't let Moses go and yet you did the same thing!."

However, in typical Sheila fashion, the next thing I thought was..."ok, but it's not exactly the same because this was the ballet not the Promised Land."

Here is where God is awesome. Not only did He open my eyes, but He offered a thought that what I read in the Bible is the telling of an event. I didn't know the whole story.

I wrote about a young girl not being permitted to go to the ballet. You are aware that it happened. But....you don't know the whole story. Why? Because I didn't write it.

The Bible tells of events that happened, but the details are not provided. When I saw and understood that concept, it answered my questions. In the simplest way, I knew why I didn't know.
Then my mind moved to Ananias and Sapphiras. How did I miss this when I was reading about the incident?? It said ."God will not be mocked." I don't know exactly what happened or why that day, because it has not been written, but I do know that somehow, in some way, Ananias and Sapphira mocked God.

The rest of my questions? They don't seem as important right now....because I realize I don't know the whole story behind any of them.

God provided me with a simple answer. But a simple answer made sense to me whereas a pat, religious answer would have turned me away.

So....Thank you Lord. You are truly awesome.
That's not to say I won't have more questions for You down the road, because knowing me I will. But knowing You, they'll be answered.
p.s. God.....I believe You have a sense of humor because You gave me one. So please don't think You actually got away with tricking me without my picking up on it. I just happen to be satisfied with Your answer that I don't know the whole story....even though You conveniently neglected to fill in the details......I just wanted You to know that.....
Much love,
Your daughter,
Sheila