I took the dummy out of her mouth. She wailed. But I wanted to give her something better. I didn’t just want her pacified and comforted, but nourished and fed.

My daughter is still too little to know what is best for her, but she is learning that she can leave that to me. When she smiles up at me, her whole face is full of trusting, beautiful, soul-melting dependence. She knows she is loved. She doesn’t need it explaining.

Sometimes she NEEDS me to remove her dummy in order to feed her. She does not yet understand this and her face will change as I do it., breaking into tears. If I let her have her own way, she would go hungry and end up ill.

Our Father knows how to feed us, both physically and spiritually. He knows who we need around us to make sure we grow. Sometimes He will take something or someone away from us who merely pacifies us, in order to give us someone that will nourish and strengthen us. On the outside of things, this may look and feel painful. But God chooses not to shut us up, but to build us up.

Next time God takes something away from you, be encouraged. He is about to give you something better.