When God Wants Something Done
Tonight the crowds will gather in Iowa to begin choosing the most important, the most powerful man in the world (we Americans are just shoo-ins for hubris, aren’t we?). The media will blitz us with more information, more “stories” than we really need or care about. Let’s remember that we are in a season that brings us face to face with another kind of power. Edmond McDonald saw it and wrote:
“When God wants an important thing done in this world or a wrong righted, He goes about it in a very singular way. He doesn’t release thunderbolts or stir up earthquakes. God simply has a tiny baby born, perhaps of a very humble home, perhaps of a very humble mother. And God puts an idea or purpose into the mother’s heart. And she puts it in the baby’s mind, and then—God waits. The great events of this world are not battles and elections and earthquakes and thunderbolts. The great events are babies, for each child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged with humanity, but is still expecting goodwill to become incarnate in each human life.”
As always, thank you, David (and thank you Edmond McDonald!). Happy New Year!!
Thank you for finding that quote. Earthquakes and thunderbolts are awe-inspiring but can’t compare with one powerful, passionate, compassionate person.
Thanks for this blog you wrote. Reminds me of a story I heard one time about a 2 year old child by her brother;s crib. Her question was – “Can you tell me again what God told you before you were born. I am starting to forget.” Ginny
Thank you for this beautiful post David. Could I kindly ask for your prayers for my 43 year old sister-in-law? She suffered a severe heart attack yesterday and has had bypass surgery and is now in a helicopter on her way to Penn for another sugery. She is very critical. She has an 11 year old son and a 15 year old daughter who need their mom. I would be grateful for any prayers that might help her get through this. Thank you.
Greetings from another David. How did you find the McDonald quote? I’ve been looking for the source.
dET
THanks, David–not sure now where in the world I got that quote.
Thanks for your response. I also found it in Marian Wright Edelman’s book “Guiding my Feet,” where it is credited to Edmond McDonald in Presbyterian Outlook Magazine. If I find more, I’ll let you know.
dET
Thanks, David. I’m curious to know who really said that!
Who is Edmond McDonald? I’ve seen this quote several times and have tried to find out who he is.
That’s one of those quotes attributed to scores of people.