As most of you know we have been living in a rental for the past year and a half while trying to buy a house. In this whole process there have been no options - nothing to get excited about, nothing to remotely consider. A few weeks ago we came across a contender and actually offered low which influenced them to drop there high price. Yesterday we took Newton to see the house while a couple handymen measured and figured what it would cost to update it. He really liked it and enjoyed showing Brian and Missy's daughter around. It even has a small pool (sort of like a large whirlpool!).

Last night after dropping off a few kids Newton asked, "Dad, why does God always say, 'No?'"
"What do you mean?" I asked, ready for a good one.
"He always says 'No' when we look at a house," he responded.
I tried to sound profound and theological, giving my 5 year old something he could quote one day, "I don't know why God says, 'No' but often he says 'No.'"
He kept going, "He's gonna say 'No' on this house."
"How do you know?" I asked.
He replied, "Because I feel it."
[Pause]
"What? You feel it? How do you feel it?" I inquired.
"I just feel it. He's gonna say 'No.'" He answered.
I had to know so I asked, "Where did you get that theology?"
"From Mom," he answered.

I'm sure he got the pessimism from me and he sure didn't get the "I Feel therefore It's True" from Mommy. It did remind me that sometimes God simply says 'No.' He's been saying it for over a year and a half. I've been thinking alot about the refinement that 'No' brings and am beginning to wonder how I avoid God's grace in the negative? He said 'No' to His Son for a far more redemptive reason than all the religious sages could've imagined. He says 'No' to His people in discipline to reclaim and refine them. He's saying 'No' to us and He does love us. Sometimes He says, 'No.'