“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” ~Luke 11:9-13
Lately, the Lord has been teaching me about His Father's heart.
Growing up without a dad, God has had a lot of time to teach me about what a true Father is. I thought I knew just about everything there was to know about God being my Father (silly to think that I knew everything, right?). I've discovered over the last couple of weeks that I still have wrong perceptions of Daddy God.
The other morning I was praying...okay, I was actually getting distracted about the fact that I wanted a new dress for graduation, but I still had no money for my phone bill this month. I figured out before this moment of distraction why I was out of money (I hadn't tithed on something...another cool story in itself), told God I was sorry, and thanked Him for His faithfulness. What He said to me in my distraction was very shocking to me.
As I was thinking about what I could possibly do to get a new dress, the Lord said plain as day, "Ask Me!" I responded by saying, "No, Lord, that's so silly. Why would I ask You for a dress when I can't even pay my phone bill?!" And He said again, "Just ask Me! Watch what I do!" I finally caved and said, "Okay, Lord. May I please get a new dress for graduation?"
After asking, He brought to my mind Luke 11:9-13. I was so overwhelmed by His goodness!
He is a faithful Father. He LOVES to give us good gifts.
One three year old that I babysit sometimes comes to me with a cute look on her face and something behind her back. Last time it was play-doh. I was almost afraid to see what was behind her back, but when she pulled out the play-doh and said, "Chrees (that's how she pronounces my name), can I play with this?" I was delighted to say yes to her. How much more delighted is the Lord when we ask Him for things and He gets to bless us!
This aspect of God's nature doesn't only apply to material things. The fact that we get to be in the presence of our Creator and actually know what's on His heart is astounding. What a privilege it is to be able to know Him and His secrets.
Life with the Lord is an adventure. We get to seek out His heart, His secrets, what He wants to say about any situation. He is a faithful Father just waiting for His kids to ask Him for what they need and want. Just ask and watch what He does!
