Sometimes the most ordinary moments can uncover what truly drives our hearts. A simple outing for dessert became one of those moments—a quiet, unplanned lesson about trust, control, and the deeper work of God.
Small Disruptions, Big Reactions
It started innocently. Belinda and I set out for ice cream, only to arrive just before closing. When we reached the counter, we were told that the last order would be taken in just 2 minutes! We barely made it inside and then faced another small decision: which flavor to choose. We randomly selected a flavor for our free ice cream (a membership perk) and were delighted later to discover it was the most expensive option—$2.50 more than the rest! Both of these little wins made us ecstatic. These were minor things, yet they revealed how quickly we reach for control in our afterthoughts.
Our instinct was to promise: Next time we'll double-check the closing time. Next time we'll calculate the prices more carefully. It felt natural to plan better to ensure we would "win" again. But beneath this practical reasoning lay something more revealing—an anxiety that every detail must be managed or everything will fall apart.
The Question Beneath the Surface
As we talked it over, a bigger question surfaced: Is God's main desire for us simply to become more efficient? Does He only want us to "improve" so that mishaps never happen? We realize we tend to spiritualize these things. It's like saying because God is a God of order, the house must be neat. Because the Bible says we must make the best use of our time, we cannot relax. We need to be careful about this thinking.
The heart of God is not to keep us from missing last orders or to train us into perfect schedulers. His greater invitation is to trust Him. What if the real lesson is not to tighten our planning, but to loosen our grip—believing that He provides what is best even when we arrive late or make imperfect choices?
From Striving to Rest
Resting in God is different from passivity. It is a settled confidence that He will not shortchange His children. We can still plan wisely, but without the tension of self-reliance.
Gratitude grows in this posture. We can thank Him for the small mercies—like arriving just in time or finding the chosen flavor waiting—without turning these blessings into reasons to exert more control. We learn to avoid saying, "We were lucky twice today! Next time, we must check the closing times and compare prices before ordering our free ice cream." True character-shaping change flows from quiet trust, not frantic self-improvement.
When Good Efforts Go Too Far
Parenting and household responsibilities are good gifts. Yet even good work can become burdensome when we measure our worth by flawless execution. If constant scheduling, budgeting, or double-checking begins to drain joy, it signals that we have crossed a line.
The issue is not diligence but dependence. What begins as stewardship can harden into self-reliance, where every misstep feels like failure and every success must be repeated without error. In that state, peace is fragile and easily stolen.
The Gospel’s Reframing Power
The turning point is the gospel. In Jesus, our identity is secure—not in perfect plans but in His perfect grace. Because He has already given us the greatest gift, we can release the need to control outcomes.
This changes how we view both small wins and disappointments. A last-minute order made just before closing time or finding the best value option becomes an opportunity to remember that God provides daily bread—not as a reward for flawless preparation but out of steadfast love. Instead of vowing to try harder, we can pray, give thanks, and rest in the One who works all things for good.
Conclusion: Freedom in Trust
Looking back, that simple dessert outing turned into a quiet but profound lesson. We entered the night expecting ice cream; God gave us something sweeter—a reminder that our peace does not depend on perfect timing or perfect choices.
The Christian faith teaches that transformation comes not by sheer willpower but by abiding in Christ. When our hearts rest in His finished work, diligence flows without fear, and joy is no longer tied to how well we control every detail. This is the freedom of the gospel: to trust God’s care, to give thanks in small disruptions, and to let His grace, not our planning, define the day.