A few weeks ago, the security guard of my office building called me as I was walking by him. We’d chatted on a few occasions. He wore his Christianity boldly.
He explained that his church was having a fundraiser and asked if I was willing to contribute a dollar or two. I looked in my wallet and pulled out a larger bill and guided him to rephrase his request. I suggested to him that he should not put a limit on his request because if he did, he would get just that. He thanked me for my wisdom and I made my way back into the office.
A few days later I saw him again and asked how his fundraiser was going. He said he was already done. He thanked me for my guidance and shared that he had quickly received the amount he wanted to raise and he was done.
This has kinda stuck with me about not putting limits on what we ask for.
This past week, I did a similar thing. My daughter has a cute obsession with two high end cars. I likely will not own either of these cars for my own fiscal reasons (it’s not in my value system). But I wanted to give her a fun surprise for her upcoming birthday. I have a friend in my office who drives one of these cars (it’s in his values and he loves it). I asked if he could do me a huge favor that would cost ten minutes of his time. When I explained what my request was, he was happy to oblige.
My request to him was to surprise my daughter and drive her around for ten minutes in his luxury car.
The day we picked her up, she could hardly conceal her excitement. As we drove around with no place in mind around our neighborhood, we somehow ended up spending an hour as my friend and I were entrenched in a meaningful conversation about life. There was one thing I wanted to do to return his kindness, a refresher drink from Starbucks.
As I looked at how long we had driven around for, I couldn’t help but think how I had only asked for ten minutes, but I’d gotten six fold what I asked for.
Are you like me and the security guard, asking for something but putting a limit on what you’re asking for?
Matthew 7:7 states, ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you’
I pray I stop putting limits on what God wants to do for me.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for providing for us. Even in the wants that we may have, you still provide better than we can ask or imagine. Thank you for being a good good Father. I pray that you bless all our earthly Fathers today.