What Does God Think of Us?

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-01-001-abide-with-me?lang=eng

Who hasn't experienced a child who has the "gimmies". This child never has enough, doesn't appreciate what she has, and never even says, "thank you". She works on her never ending Christmas list year round. Though she doesn't even know what she has in her vast hoard, she is sure that she must possess more than anyone else has-- far more! 

How about the youth who packs up his car with all he can lay his hands on from home, then heads out to be on his own, ignoring his parents --until he needs help. Then after disregarding all his parent's advice and counsel, he expects them to come running to bail him out. Arrogantly, he expects his parents to always be there for him, endlessly supplying his all wants. If ever they refuse to indulge him, he poutingly declares, "You don't love me". 


Both of these tiring children are so proud and self centered, that we are anxious to distance ourselves from them. They only feel loved when they get what they want, when they want it-- which is right now! They kick, and pout, and sulk. Their focus is always on themselves. They do not help others, nor will they share what they have. Definitely, they are most parents' nightmare. 

What about our Heavenly Father? How do you think He feels when His children only talk to Him when they want something? The rest of the time they sit surrounded in cities of glass and steel which they have built, believing that they are all powerful -- until they are faced with some disaster. They say that "There are no atheists in foxholes", and there are probably none in skyscrapers when hurricanes hit, or in hospitals when your child is dying. Perhaps the pioneers and people today in the midwest are more aware of God because their life, dependent on the gift of mild weather, is less insulated from the reality of the fragility of man. 

Why do we feel that we must be the supreme power? We spend our energies piling up more things, while we deny the Creator and selfishly exploit His creations. We strive for status and power over others, while we deny that God has any power, except perhaps, to give us what we want.  We cannot comprehend a God who has such great love that He would even be willing to suffer and die so that we might live after this life and have the opportunity to learn and grow each day. How our Heavenly Father must be yearning for His children to at last grow up!