If Mama Ain't Happy, Ain't Nobody Happy!

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Psalms 32:8)

My youngest daughter painted me a cute mint green and white picture for Mother’s Day with the slogan, “If Mama Ain’t Happy, Ain’t Nobody Happy!”  On the back she handwrote the following, “This quote might have to do with the fact that I am grounded this weekend. Happy Mother’s Day!”

I must admit that at first it hurt my feelings a bit.  I’m familiar with this contemporary quote that many people have hanging somewhere in their homes.  As I frowned at the picture, slightly disappointed, both of my daughters assured me that it was not to be taken seriously. 

 Still, I could not help but reflect on the weekend grounding, of which the purpose was to serve as a reminder to discontinue her previous actions. Of course, as a teenager she did not understand that the punishment was to protect her and serve as a lesson. Her brain just cannot go there yet. The master plan I have for her is much like the one God has for us from book of Psalms, where it reads, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you” (Psalms 32:8 NIV).  

Is it not also true that we are unable to grasp the master plan God has for us, especially while we are in the learning stage? While she’s not happy in the midst of the unpleasantness of learning, I always have her best interest at heart. The next time I look at my Mother’s Day picture that says, “If Mama Ain’t Happy, Ain’t Nobody Happy,” I’m going to remember that while going through the learning process on earth, God always has my best interest at heart as well.