At age seven, my son is an incredibly fussy eater. Peanut butter sandwiches, strawberries, pancakes, chicken nuggets, grapes, raw carrots, french fries, and fresh bread are his favorites, but he refuses to eat baked potatoes, sweet corn and other cooked vegetables, noodles, soup, or casseroles.
Yes, I've spoiled him. Yes, it has to stop. While I've been complimented many times on what a kind boy I have, this is his weak spot.
Fussy eating affects his nutrition, but just as importantly, it affects his relationship with others. It's rude not to eat what is prepared for him. Most of all, expecting special meals teaches him that he deserves to be catered to, and that's just not okay.
We know that we have to change his habits for him because he will never choose to do so on his own. We've tried many things, from the two bite rule to the you-can't-have-anything-else-until-you-eat-that rule. Tonight my son is in bed and has had nothing since his after-school snack.1 I feel guilty, but I know that a little discomfort now will save a lot of frustration later.
Sometimes I, too, want what I want—well, just because I want it. Like my sweet but slightly ornery Elijah, I expect to be catered to in my own selfish ways. Sometimes I've prayed for things to change for no other reason than to make life easier for me. While I believe that God wants to hear from me every moment of every day, I do not believe that I can force God to provide for every prayer request.
He has a bigger, better plan.
Similar to a fussy eater, I want to choose my experiences. While moments of my life have tasted a little more like liver and onions than strawberry pie, I still have lessons to learn even from those days that aren't exactly what I ordered.
I can be thankful that I have a God who understands my needs more than I do.
1He finally got out of bed an hour later and ate everything on his plate. Success!
