The story of Pinocchio, written over a hundred years ago, is known worldwide. The boy, not real, and the old man, without a son, are engaging in their appeal for all ages. Geppetto the woodcarver creates a masterpiece, and he wishes on a fallen star for the puppet to come to life.
There are lessons too many to count in this story, so let’s pull out just one: Sometimes we can find our blessing in not getting what we want.
Geppetto, the old man, has all the time in the world to do exactly what he wants. He desires a son, even though he knows nothing about parenting. He wants the illusion of something with little concept of exactly what it entails.
Geppetto wants a dream.
When the Blue Fairy gives the woodcarver his wish, an ensuing debacle of disasters takes place, which of course is the point in the story. We laugh along with Pinocchio’s misfortunes, and we enjoy the puppet’s failures as much or more than when he becomes a real boy.
When God gives us what we want, do we complain that it’s not exactly what we thought, or do we enjoy all that comes along with it, understanding that we’re getting exactly what we asked for?
In 1 Samuel Chapter 1, Hannah faced Geppetto’s challenge. She had no children, and she desperately wanted a child. There was an upside to Hannah’s situation. Her husband loved her, even though she had no children, and in 1 Samuel 1:5 we read that her husband gave her a double portion when he went up to sacrifice at Shiloh.
Hannah knew she was loved, even more than her husband’s second wife. Yet, she felt distraught at her misfortune.
God granted her desire for a son, but it came with a price. The son was Samuel, and he was to be dedicated to the Lord. He lived in the temple, and he would become a great prophet who led the nation of Israel.
Our double portion sometimes comes in what we do not have. We give up what we possess when we get what we want. Is receiving our heart’s desire worth the price we pay, or do we sometimes feel annoyed that God didn’t do things exactly right?
Geppetto got the son he desired, but only when he was willing to take the time and interest to parent him properly. Hannah got the son she desired, but he wasn’t truly hers. He lived in the temple to be raised by Eli the priest.
When God answers our prayers, do we see the answer, or do we see the challenge that comes along with it? Our double portion comes not in the things we receive, but in how we see the things we receive. God wishes us to be grateful for all things, and to lift our voices in praise unto him.
Our grateful heart is what draws the mercy of our God unto us in all situations.
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