God's Schoolroom

It was one of those hot days in the Oaxacan desert. Not lunchtime, and already the children were lethargic and disinterested in their home studies. Even my daughter Debbie and her friend Esther, too young for the class I was monitoring, were bored. That’s when the unbelievable happened. An actual, honest-to-goodness ice-cream truck rattled up our rocky, rutted road past the entrance to our property.

On other days, a little old man hikes up our road, pushing a cart with ice cream, (homemade with questionable ingredients), ringing a bicycle bell. Only my older children, with typical missionary-kid-toughened intestines, are ever allowed to buy from him. Actually, I don’t exactly give them permission, but they are old enough to risk their own stomachs on occasion.

This time, however, it was a genuine truck with pre-packaged treats from a reputable company. I don’t know how the driver found our part of town, but there it was, playing an American-style honky-tonk tune, tempting us all.

Before I could suggest a recess, and before anyone thought to ask, the two preschoolers jumped up and darted out the door. Oblivious to any possible dangers such as snakes or packs of wild dogs lurking beyond the forbidden boundary of our gate, the girls marched boldly past our yard, up the road, and proceeded to chase the ice cream truck.

Curious to see what would happen, and prepared to throw rocks at any goats or dogs which might threaten the children, I followed at a distance. Sure enough, they managed to persuade the driver to stop. The futility of their chase was cute in its innocence. No amount of smiling, gesturing, giggling, or pleading English phrases would convince this hard-headed businessman to give them any ice cream without some pesos crossing his palm. In frustration, the driver gave up and drove on without a sale.

I caught up with the empty-handed girls and escorted them, broken-hearted, back to the house. I scolded them for their disobedience in leaving without permission: “Why in the world didn’t you simply ask for the treat before darting out on your own? What were you thinking? Didn’t you know all you had to do was ask, and I would have tried to scare up some money for ice cream? I might have even let the older kids take a break and run with you to catch the truck. Then everyone could have had ice cream.”

But now it was too late. The consequence of their impetuous, unauthorized pursuit of ice cream was that all the children would be forced to swelter through their morning studies without a treat. The ice cream truck was long gone, perhaps never to return.

That’s when I was struck with shame. How often am I guilty of the very same crime? I chase after some worthy or selfish goal, oblivious to the danger and futility of leaving without God’s blessing, protection, or provision. The irony is that sometimes God may actually want to bless me with the desired treat but prefers that I learn my lesson. I can picture the Lord quietly watching from the screen door, following me for my safety, and gently escorting me, empty-handed and often broken-hearted, back to the schoolroom. Just like my children, I have much to learn.

Thought for today: We have a Father who stands ready to bless us when we submit our desires to His will.

Prayer for today: Lord, please forgive me for going astray. Thank you for watching over me even when I don’t deserve your protection. Forgive me for seeking to meet my own needs rather than relying on You to bless me when You see fit. Remind me to ask permission, and allow You to provide for all my needs.

Verse for today: “Delight thyself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

(This was previously published in Walk with Us Through Fields of Harvest, A Month of Missionary Devotionals, 2008, by Missionary Ventures International)