4-21-23

Apr 21, 2023

How much are you juggling today? We all do. We have our everyday life that can be very full, and then we just keep picking up more things.

I heard a story today:

The man said his 7 year old son asked him to hand him something, so the father walked over to the boy and was going to hand it to him, but he had his hands full of other things. The father said, “look, you are going to have to put something down in order to take this from me.”.  As soon as he said it, he realized. Could it be that the very thing we ask God for, we cannot receive because we have our hands full, we have not prepared to receive it so we can’t accept it. Could it be that we have not let go of things we need to in order to receive the new. Could it be that we have been praying for new relationships but we haven’t let go of the old toxic ones? Could it be that I have not received the spiritual growth that I desire because I am holding on to past hurts and not making room for growth. We have a saying in our house, if you pray for new shoes, make room in your closet. It’s about preparing for what God has. Ask Noah what faith is. I wonder what he would say. Faith is first believing but part of believing is preparation. Faith is preparing for what God has for us and Noah could teach a class on that. Faith is also about God changing us in the process so that we don’t carry around junk that we shouldn’t. Every time I take a step forward in my faith, I leave something behind.

Phil 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

John 14:13-14 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

I have struggled with that one. We all know that God gives his children the best, but I have always wondered where the “cut off point” is. I mean, obviously God is not a genie in a bottle. If he actually gave us everything we asked for, we would be foolish. I know that I would be rich and look like Jennifer Aniston. But God is NOT a Genie. What a waste of a gift that would be. Then there are times that God saves us from what we ask for because he knows it is NOT best for us. Like the song says, “Thank God for unanswered prayers”.

I wonder today, when I pray and ask God for something, do I prepare to receive it? Do I make room in my closet? Do I put something down? I have no doubt that at times in my life I carry things I shouldn’t. I probably am right now. People hurt us, neglect us, abuse us…. I have a friend who left a marriage of being constantly hurt. She’s working on giving it all to God. Life often throws us a curve ball, but God can ALWAYS get us back on track. He heals the broken hearted, comforts the grieving, and protects us. He may give you more than you can handle, but he cannot give you more than He and you together can handle.

Lord, help us today to have the faith to put down the things we need to in order to receive your best gifts. Amen.

Shirlene Peterson