Matthew 7:7-11

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. ⁹ Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? ¹⁰ Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? ¹¹ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

What have my parents given me? The more appropriate question might be, “What haven’t my parents given me?” The list begins with life (they were there at my birth.) Then there has been food, shelter, and clothing. Mom and dad gave me my first bicycle and helped me buy my first car. They sat with me while I did homework and they paid for a huge chunk of my education. They gave me their time, their tenderness, their treasures. I have been blessed by parents who did know how to give their child good gifts. It’s a reference to that kind of parent that Jesus made in this portion of the Sermon on the Mount.

When we picture God, Jesus often invites us to trust “our Father in Heaven” for what we need. Being limited human beings, we can hardly imagine how much God loves us, even though the whole story of Jesus giving his life for us is a pretty good hint. And if we really appreciate the depth of God’s love, we might ask, seek, and knock, trusting that God wants us to have what is best for us.

What has my Heavenly Father already given me? What hasn’t God given me?

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, thank you for your love that overflows into my life. Help me to turn to you for what I need, trusting that you have a lot more good gifts in store for your children. Amen.