Every Good Thing

One thing we always knew growing up was that our parents did their best to provide everything we truly needed. They gave us what was good for us, as much as they could afford. But if they had given us everything we asked for, then something would have been wrong.

Even though they wanted the best for us from the very beginning, there was always a difference between what was truly good for us and what only seemed good in our own eyes. That’s where the conflict came in. What we wanted didn’t always match what they knew was best.

As children, we were naive. We didn’t understand much, we only cared about what we wanted and what would make us happy in the moment. But our parents knew better. They understood that food was more important than snacks, and that something meaningful would benefit us more than temporary pleasure.

I remember how, in a typical Nigerian home during festive periods like Christmas, children would go out and receive cash gifts from elders. We would come back home excited, already planning what to spend the money on, usually snacks or things we just desired.

Then our parents would step in. They would say, “Give it to me, let me keep it for you,” or remind us of more important needs, like buying new school shoes or replacing worn-out uniforms. At the time, it didn’t always feel good. Sometimes we resisted and chose our own desires, but other times, when we listened, we followed their wiser judgment.

Looking back now, I understand it better.

This made me see something deeper about God. In many ways, God is like our parent. Just as our parents desired good for us and tried to guide us, even when we didn’t understand, God also desires what is good for us. Our understanding is limited, but He sees the bigger picture.

From the very beginning, God intended good for us. He created the world with the plan that we would enjoy the good of life. But over time, things changed, and the world became broken. Today, many people struggle, some live in poverty, others lack basic needs, and it can make us question if God truly wants good for us.

But I believe He does.

Recently, I experienced something that made this more real to me. I had been praying and trusting God for something specific. It took longer than I expected, and at some point, I could have given up. But I didn’t stop trusting Him. In the end, God came through for me, not even in the exact way I imagined, but in a better way.

That experience taught me a lot.

It taught me to trust God more and to rely on Him, not just for what I want, but for what I truly need. It also showed me that when I focus only on my desires, I limit my understanding. But when I look up to God first and seek Him, I can trust that He will handle the rest in His own way and time.

I also learned the importance of checking my motives. Sometimes we come to God with the wrong intentions, and not everything we ask for is good for us. But when our hearts are right and our intentions are sincere, we are more open to receiving what is truly good.

So trusting God is not just about getting everything we want. It is about growth, patience, and understanding.

In the end, I believe this: every good thing comes from God. And sometimes, learning to trust Him is what helps us recognize that good, even when it doesn’t come the way we expected.