A Yes Day From God

The other day my 7-year-old asked, “Mom, when can we have a ‘yes’ day?” I smiled and, turning around to put something back in the refrigerator, rolled my eyes in amusement. Some things don’t merit an answer.

By “yes day,” my son was referring to a day when Mom and Dad said “Yes” to every request made to them by the children. A day of joy and rapture for the kids, in their eyes. Can you imagine…

“Mom, can I have some ice cream for breakfast?”

“Yes”

“Mom, can I have another bowl of ice cream?”

“Yes”

“Mom, is it ok if I don’t brush my teeth?”

“Sure, honey.”

“Can I have all of my Valentine candy today?”

“OK”

“Can I stay home and play on my DS and the Wii instead of going to school?”

“Um, ok.”

“Can I have more ice cream for lunch, and then dinner???”

“If that’s what you want…”

From my imaginary questions here, you can see that sweets are something of an idol in my house. The kids live for snacks and dessert (which is why I limit them rather severely) and electronics. The perfect day in their eyes would involve zero chores, 100% junk for mealtimes and in-between, and the freedom to play any electronic gadget they might have. And sometimes, I’ve been tempted to give them exactly what they’re asking for.

Have you ever wished God would give you a “yes” day (or more)? Has there been a time when circumstances were so hard that you just thought, “Give me a break! I’m only asking for a little ____ (fill in the blank) here! Can you just give me what I’m asking for, for once?” Or maybe you’re just tired of the daily struggle, wishing for “enough” money to make your family “comfortable.” Is that so bad?

Does the need of the moment supercede our sound judgment and wise character? Does our heart’s desire outweigh our desire for God alone? I think God has bigger plans for us than mere comfort or selfish luxury. He wants us to want HIM, not the stuff he provides.

Those lovable Israelites can teach us so much. Don’t be offended, but you might see yourself if you look closely enough at this story.

This whining, myopic bunch of softies had just been delivered from slavery, miraculously rescued from Pharoah’s army by the parting of the Red Sea, and fed from God’s own hand by the daily provision of manna–bread from heaven. But that didn’t seem to cut it for them. The bread was getting boring, and their memory was getting selective.

“Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But…there is nothing at all but this manna to look at” (Numbers 11:5-6).

“That cost nothing“? Were they serious? All that good food only cost them their freedom and dignity. But what is slavery next to a bored palate? Or, more accurately, what is a fading memory next to the demands of right now?

So what did God do in response to this whining demand? He in essence gave them a “Yes” day.

“You have wept in the hearing of the Lord, saying, ‘Who will give us meat to eat? For it was better for us in Egypt.’ Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat. You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathesome to you, because you have rejected the Lord who is among you…” (Numbers 11:18-20).

Then God sent a wind to blow in quail in such quantities that they lay dead on the ground in their camp, up to 3 feet deep. The people gathered quail for an entire day and night and another day. That’s a lot of meat! “And while the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck down the people with a very great plague” (v 33).

You want meat? I’ll give you meat! But it won’t satisfy in the way you think it will. Only I can do that, you foolish people.

How often have I resembled a short-sighted, grumbling Israelite? What gifts and mercies of God have I forgotten in the middle of my momentary desires? Why do I neglect the Lord Himself in favor of the good things he gives me?

So yes, I’m tempted one day to give my children a “yes” day and watch them suffer the consequences. If only I could be sure they would actually learn their lesson.