We have all done it. Someone is hurting or suffering from a great loss and we say to them, “If you need anything just call me.” Really? Anything? How about making my car payments or my mortgage? How about paying off my medical bills? Now I do realize and so do those in pain realize that you are speaking of something within reason.
This happened to my sister this weekend. Her very sick neighbor came home from the hospital and my sister said the “anything” thing. “Oh,” her neighbor said, “Could you bring me some egg custard.” This sounds simple enough except my sister did not know what egg custard was (obviously my mother never made it for us) and my sister did not find it at her supermarket. Fortunately we live in the wonderful age of the Internet and a Google search for egg custard provided a recipe.
I am reminded of Jesus’ parable of the midnight knock on the door. It’s found in Luke 11 and it contains one of my favorite verses. “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” God, our Father, is a giver. He cares about our needs and is anxious to help. For some reason that I do not understand often times we have to ask. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Maybe it has something to do with our adversary the devil, who accused God of over giving to Job. So go ahead and ask. If it is good for you, you will get it. If it isn’t you won’t. I hope you like custard.
Written by Roger Bothwell on June 16, 2015
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org