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If there is one thing that drives me crazy it is when my children keep asking for something from me that I don’t really intend to give or do. I don’t know about you, but when I have already told my child, “no,” and they keep asking it becomes more and more difficult for me to keep myself calm.

I know why they do it. Sometimes it works. Not with me, but with others. If they keep asking for something they want or want to do, eventually they can wear a person down and in an effort to get them to stop their continual plea, they are at times granted their request. And so, because it has worked for them in the past, they continue to use this strategy of behavior to obtain what they want.

With me, as I said before, I get annoyed. Angry in fact. It really bugs me. When I say, “no” I want my children (or even other adults who are using this strategy) to accept me at my word and stop asking.

I think that this is why I struggle at times to consistently continue to bring my requests before God. The reality is, there are many things that I have been asking God to provide or to do because I believe He can, and I believe that (at least from my perspective) He should. Sometimes God says yes. Sometimes God says no. Sometimes God says wait. Keep asking.

“Keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find it. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8) “You parents – if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him?” (Matthew 7:9-11)

Do you see my dilemma? While I don’t like it much when my children continue to ask over and over for something, it appears that this doesn’t bother our Heavenly Father one bit. In fact it seems as if He wants us to!

I realized something this morning that I am not sure I really ever thought of before. I don’t like my kids asking me repeatedly for things that I would say no to, but I don’t mind one bit when my kids ask me repeatedly for things that I would say yes to. Or for that matter, those things that I have already said yes to, that they don’t yet know about.

It hit me that this Christmas, I had Hannah asking for a new baby doll. She had shown me one online that she really liked. Hannah has asked me, and told me repeatedly how much she wants and likes that particular doll. She doesn’t know it (please don’t ruin the surprise!), but that doll is wrapped up and sitting under our tree. The gift is already hers. She is asking. I am not not apparently answering, but the request has been filled. And I feel a sense of excitement about giving it.

That is how I picture our Father. He wants us to keep bringing our requests to Him. Trusting that He will hear them, and beyond that, meet each need – and often more! Why is He not annoyed with us? Because He loves to provide for us! He loves to have us seeking all that we need from the One who has the ability to meet each need. He loves blessing His people.

So ask, and receive. Seek, and find. Knock, and let Him swing the door wide open!

Blessings!