That's Not How You Ask!
“And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Issac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” Exodus 3:6
Real MOMent
A couple weekends ago, I was enjoying a few moments of some self-care, when my oldest daughter walked into my bathroom talking about Roblox, an online game (if you know you know!).
As she continued talking and messing up my SPA-ish vibe, I started to feel a little frustrated. She mentions a recent glitch with game currency (money to buy Robux) in the game platform. Meanwhile, my annoyance is growing as she scrolls through the phone. “What are you doing?” I asked her. “I’m trying to show you something,” she says. A couple seconds later she stops and turns the screen towards my face. On the screen is the price list and page to purchase the game currency. “So, how much do you want to give me?” she asks, not bothering to look up.
How much do you want to give me? Is that even a question? It sounded like a question, but there was one thing that didn’t sit well…that’s not how you ask.
MOMent of Clarity
There is some real irony in this MOMent. The past few months, I have been spending so much time saying “ask first” that I didn’t think about the importance of teaching her how to ask and more importantly, in my eyes, WHY how we ask is important.
When she asked for the game currency, she asked with an attitude that came across as both entitled and expectant. In other words, her asking first was a matter of courtesy more than an act of respect. Her request was a means to get something that she wanted–and her answer, in her mind, was and should be YES.
This entire moment made me reflect on how I bring my requests before God and the posture of my heart when I do. Am I asking first because I truly want His will for my life? Or, am I only asking because I know He can do all things and, at this moment, I want Him to do, provide, or respond the way that I want–according to my plans and my will?
How we ask and go before our Heavenly Father reflects His position in our lives as Believers. When we seek His counsel, direction, ask for our needs or heart’s desire, it should be with humility and fearful reverence. Afterall, He knows what we want before we ask, and He also knows our true willingness to be obedient to His will.
Yes, He is a friend. Yes, He is a loving Father but He is The Creator. He deserves all of the worship and respect–and how I choose to come before Him matters–and just to round out this thought–my response to how He answers my request matters too!
Proverbs 22:6 says “train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Training our children is beyond important, it’s the assignment. Yes, they have learned to walk, but now they have to learn how to walk. This MOMent has taught me that there is no limit on what the “training” will entail. So, yes, I want my children to be mindful of how they ask for things, but I 100% want them to know how to go before our loving, Heavenly Father and why He deserves respect, worship, and praise!
I was able to relate this as someone at times who ask with an expectation of getting a YES from God. My attitude can be a lot like your daughter's in this writing. This was a blessing!