Ask First
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6 NIV
Real MOMent
This summer has been pretty chill, but one thing that has not been chill is my children’s attention to the SNACK CABINET! The one request that we have before they go and grab a snack is to ASK FIRST!
For the most part, they do a good job with asking, but how they react to the response, especially when it isn’t the answer that they want, is something entirely different. When they ask, they really just want a “yes,” without any further questions (i.e. Didn't you just get a snack?). I don’t think that this is just reserved for children. Seriously, who doesn’t love to get what they want–when they want it? To me, it seems like a universal human trait.
One particular afternoon, I was addressing both of my children as they tried to bargain and argue with me for another snack. “But we asked,” my daughter said, adding “I’ll clean my room, if I can have it now.” I told her that cleaning her room is a requirement and the answer was still, “no.” But it was my final words that boomeranged right back to my soul...“you need to ask, and just because you ask, doesn’t mean the answer will be ‘yes’ or the request will happen right away.”
Realizing that I wasn’t going to give in, they walked away and I sat down.
MOMent of Clarity
This MOMent is not a 3-piece bite size spirit snack BUT a 3-course Spiritual cuisine.
𝓕𝓲𝓻𝓼𝓽 𝓒𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮
Of course, my children know that a ”no,” doesn’t mean they are not loved. When I tell my kids “no,” it is with good reason. I needed to chew on this for a minute and consider all of the times when I may have felt God was “against me” just because I didn’t get what I asked for.
As a Believer, it is important for me to remember to always keep the faith in what God has for my life. I know when God doesn’t respond the way that I would like, in the time frame that I’ve suggested, it doesn’t mean that He doesn’t love me–God is love. So why would I doubt that God’s “no” or “not this way” or “not yet” is from any place other than love?
𝓢𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓭 𝓒𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮
This second course is pretty filling…
Sometimes, when my girls think that the answer for the snack request will be “no” they sneak and get a snack—completely ignoring the fact that they were told to ask first. Maybe, they think to themselves the answer will be “no” anyway, so why bother asking? (I get that, I’ve been there.). From my perspective (as their mom), each “no” has a very clear reason–even if it doesn’t make sense to my children. Whether it’s because I’m not co-signing on another bag of chips and offering a fruit or veggie alternative or because I’m literally cooking a meal—I’m not just saying “no” to say “no.”
So, isn’t it important to consider that my Heavenly Father probably has His own particular reason as to why something doesn’t happen the way I want?
(Take a minute to digest that. Yeah, I was feeling kind of spiritually stuffed, but He wasn’t done. He had more to give!)
Each time this happens, I have to remind them that they are not always told “no.” Anticipating a “no”, shouldn’t keep them from still asking. If we don’t ask, how can we receive? This made me consider how easy it is for our faith to waiver simply because our plans are not aligned to His will for our lives.
Does a “no” erase every “yes” that I have ever received? Of course it doesn’t. Asking God first isn’t about getting what I want, it’s about seeing what He wants for my life—which, in my experience, has always been better than I imagine.
𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓻𝓭 𝓒𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮
If I want to deter the sneaking of snacks, I’ve found I have the best luck when I am close to where the snacks are located. When I see my girls walking toward the kitchen, I can quickly assess their wants/needs. They know that I will encourage them to “drink water.” Sometimes hunger is a sign of thirst, but that seems like a conversation for another day! When they see me near, they are more likely to ask before getting a snack.
This makes me think how God’s position in my life has a direct impact on how I interact with Him. When I keep Him at a distance, I impose my own limits on a limitless God. If I don’t ask for what I need or want (in all things) or hesitate to ask because I am not sure if He will answer me the way I want, what does that say about my faith and confidence in Him as it pertains to my life?
Can I even afford this meal?! Talk about using ALL things! Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever stop being amazed by how He can use the most ordinary things in extraordinary ways.
My children needed to hear these words, but He knew that I did too. How much more understanding will they gain if these words are faithfully practiced more than spoken with hypocritical wisdom.
An entire MOMent of clarity courtesy of snack requests!
 An original poem of praise thanking God for His wisdom and providing me with understanding in this MOMent. Ask First I need to hear Your voice. What’s free will, without a choice? A choice You give me, You never force me Lord, I pray Teach me Your way. “I have always loved you, ” I hear you say. A lighter yoke, I forfeit When I go astray. Carrying burdens, needlessly. Lost and wandering, aimlessly. I push away Yet, You still want me near. Forgive my half-hearted worship You’ve never asked me to be perfect You saved my life that day You gave Your life for me. I’m blessed by this moment, For the clarity And how You showed it. You get the glory, Forever and ever Amen. And if you only see the snack, You don’t get it and I get that. But if you get it, Will you get it? Or 👍 LIKE & ❤️ LOVE Scroll and forget it? Not for 💯, I pray for the one Who writes it on their heart And not just be done Discard the foolish ways Seek His wisdom all the days Listen as He speaks through verse His plan is good— Ask first. 🙏 |
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 Sometimes, it just seems easier to make the decision. The application for “Ask First” is focused on building the spiritual habit and discipline in asking God first. As a mom, I can’t keep track of the number of decisions that I make for my children, but asking first before making huge decisions is just as important for their lives because He has a plan for them too! *Anticipate challenges (#real struggles=not perfect). The last thing the enemy wants is God’s hand, in all parts of our life, so the first step is to first, ask for His help!
On your phone or a piece of paper/notebook take note of the following:
For each thing you make note of, include a short thought of what you were hoping to achieve through the conversation or thinking (i.e. clarity, affirmation, comfort) ACTION: Each day, as you review the list, ask for God’s forgiveness in not seeking Him first. Prayerfully bring those things from your list to Him. ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴋɪɴɢᴅᴏᴍ ᴄʀᴇᴡ! We always want to connect what we are learning with our children. Here are a few suggested questions that may spark a discussion with your children.
If your child/children are younger (unable to have a discussion), what are some ways that you can intentionally build their habit of asking first? Prayerfully, ask God for His help in revealing MOMents for your family. |
 Heavenly Father, Thank you for meeting me where I am. You know what is best for me. Forgive me for the times that I have limited Your hand in my life simply because I did not seek You first. I want my life to be aligned to Your plan and I ask that you transform my heart and mind to accept that a “no” only means You have something better. I pray for everyone in a season of “no” and those who are waiting. May our confidence and faith not waiver; may and our eyes and hearts be open to seeing Your presence and miraculousness revealed in the most basic things in our lives. Amen. |
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