Matthew 7:7 – 11 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
It has started. You know what I’m talking about. It. The never-ending wish list, repeated daily by each of my children, of what they want for Christmas. She wants a Littlest Pet Shop Digi-Planner. He wants a laser sword and a four-wheeler and a remote control helicopter.
He also wants flowers, for his mama. Do you think he’s caught onto the truth about Santa, and he’s trying to bribe her?
Now, my children don’t need any of these things. And they probably won’t get every single item on their lists. But they will each get at least one thing on their lists, as long as it is in my power to make it happen. They are my children, I love them, and I like to give them good things. I love to watch their expressions on Christmas morning, when they open the very thing they have been wanting!
But, what if my daughter wanted a music cd that her dad and I didn’t approve of? What if my son wanted a toy that isn’t age appropriate, and could hurt him? Well, you know the answer. Of course, we wouldn’t give them gifts that could harm them in any way. We only want to give them good things.
One of the great things about God is that He gives good gifts. He knows exactly what we need, and He loves providing for us! I wonder if He feels like most parents do on Christmas morning, waiting to see the looks on His children’s faces when we receive the very thing we have been wanting or needing. He is always so generous, and His timing is always perfect.
But just as I wouldn’t give my children things that could harm them, God knows what is best for us. Sometimes, the thing we ask for may not be what we need, and He won’t give it. But even when we don’t get exactly what we want from God, we can always know that we get the very best from God. Every single time.
And that knowledge is even cooler than a remote control helicopter.
Dear Father, Thank You for taking care of me, and for giving such great gifts. I love You.
Amen
Great analogy, R. And a great reminder.
Thanks, TJ!
This is a great thing to remember when we are questioning God. Just yesterday, our 13-year-old asked for a DVD player for Christmas. After we discussed it, we told him “No, because you could be tempted to sin in secret if you had it.” It’s hard to say “no” to our kids. But we know the backstory — and so does God. Thanks for laying it out so clearly.
What a perfect example, Anne! Thanks for sharing it. And yes, God knows our back story, doesn’t He? I’m so glad He’s always looking out for our best interests.
I remember the comfort I felt when I rediscovered this passage a few years ago. It reminds me that God doesn’t withhold good gifts from me.
Isn’t that comforting, Alyssa? He loves us more than anything, He knows what is best for us, and He gives us only the very best.