Be Careful What You Ask For

The pleading eyes of a dog, who can ignore them?

My two Jack Russells, Maysie and Twinkie, have such confidence in me. Whenever I give one a treat the other will appear at my feet and gaze up at me with expectant confidence, knowing that I will give her one too. They have such a sense of fairness and they believe that I will be fair with them. If I give two treats to Twinkie and just one to Maysie, instead of fighting over the second treat, Maysie will look up at me and wait for hers, certain it will come. It is her belief in my love and fairness that prompts me to reward her. How can I disappoint her faith in me? If she did not ask and expect to receive, I may not have bothered to give her one as well.

Sometimes my dogs will ask for something that is not best for them. When I am eating a chocolate bar, for instance, the rattle of the paper will catch their keen ears. In no time they are looking up at me with those pleading eyes and waiting for what they believe will be my generous response to their request. They don't know that chocolate will make them sick; they just know it smells good and they think it will make them happy. I will reward my dogs request, but I love them too much to give them what they ask for. I will give them something else that I know will make them happy. I will throw their squeaky toy or scratch them on the head or maybe even give them a milk bone biscuit. They are never sullen or mad at me for not giving them exactly what they asked for. They accept my gift with a thankful wag of their tail and dance about with joyful energy. They trust me enough to know I will give them what they need to keep them healthy and happy.

As I think about my response to my dogs' requests, it reminds me of the Scripture which bids us to "Ask and receive." (Luke 11:10-13) God wants us to ask Him for things and expect Him to answer. He wants us to have faith in Him. But, sometimes we ask for things that are not good for us. We may not know they aren't best for us, but God can see the future and He knows the outcome of all things. He will never fail to reward our request when we come to Him in faith. He will answer us by giving us what is best for us. He wants us to have enough faith in His fairness and love to know that He will give us everything we need to be healthy and happy.

When I was a child I asked God to save the life of my grandmother who was dying of breast cancer. But, my grandmother died. Does that mean that God failed to answer my prayer? No! God answered by allowing what was best. I don't know what the future might have held if my grandmother had lived. What I do know is that she died with a smile on her face and peace in her heart that she would be resurrected to meet Jesus at His second coming.

After I grew up, I read the story in the Bible about Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 32-38. God sent a message to King Hezekiah and told him He would die and instructed him to get his house in order. But Hezekiah cried and pleaded with the Lord to heal him and spare his life. God did grant his request, perhaps just to show that what man asks for is not always for his best good. Hezekiah asked for a sign from God that he would live. And God granted that request by turning back the sundial 10 degrees. Shortly thereafter the King of Babylon sent ambassadors to Hezekiah to see what marvelous thing the Lord had done, in turning back the sundial and healing him. Hezekiah had a wonderful opportunity to tell of God's power and goodness, but instead Hezekiah's heart was lifted up with pride and he showed the foreign princes all his wealth and riches. This act of Hezekiah's caused the covetous heart of the heathen dignitaries to want what Hezekiah had and led to the devastation and captivity of Israel by Babylon. This story helped me to realize that everything we request of God, we should ask according to His will. For we do not know what is best for us.

However, there are some things we can ask for and know they are for our best good, and the Bible tells us He will always grant those requests. Jesus tells us that God is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask than a father is willing to give a good gift to his child. He also promises to give wisdom and forgiveness of sin to all who ask it. What greater gifts could there ever be! The Holy Spirit is full of wisdom and power that will transform our character into the likeness of Christ.

I believe God will answer my prayers and I trust Him to provide for my needs. I choose to trust in His goodness, mercy, and fairness just as my dogs trust me.

Let's all go to God in faith with our concerns and petitions, knowing He has our best interest at heart and wait patiently for His answer.

Bonnie Morsette ~ Critter Patch News 10/31/2009