What My Kids Taught Me about God from a Cookie

I love my kids. I want the best for them and just about everything I do, I do for them.

But... there are days when all they do is ask me for things. "Dad can I have a treat? Can we go to Game Stop (in the middle of my work day) to get some new Nintendo games? Can we go to Sea World (like... right now, in the middle of a work day)." I want this, I want that... It's never ending! And when I say "no" or "maybe later", I get the rolling of the eyes followed by a long "ooohhhhhh I never get what I want" and then a stomping away.

This morning my boys, who are ages 7 and 9, were being unruly and arguing together so I had to step in a few times to break up the melee' and make peace. After a few times of doing this (and not getting any work done because of it), one of them comes to me asking for a cookie.

I snapped. I raised my voice and said "Let me get this straight, so far this morning you've been unruly, disobedient, fighting with your brother, not getting your chores done, distracting me from getting my work done... AND NOW YOU WANT A COOKIE?"

And then I said it... "All you ever do is ask me for things, what have you done for me lately?" And at that very moment I had an epiphany. I thought, "Is this how God feels about ME most of the time?" A humbling moment to say the least.

I mean, most people know it's a good thing to pray. We know that God loves us as His dear little children. Some of us talk to God more than others, but when you do, what do you talk about? I've been in church, I've heard other people pray. It usually goes something like: God give me this, God give me that. God bless this, God help me with that. I want, I need, I want, I want, I want. Yeesh!

When I pray I start off by thanking God for what I have, then I ask for a few things. You know what? From now on I'm going to lead with "God, what can I do for you today?" And then listen for an answer! You know, that small voice deep in your heart telling you what you should or should not do.

I am resolved to make a conscience and more concerted effort to do more for God and his people BEFORE I ask for anything for myself. That seems fair, right?

Daniel Sweet is the founder of God's Word First Christian Ministry and an expert in business leadership. He is the author of the Power of Leadership Book Series and the creator of the Power of Leadership Training University.