Just Ask

"This is the best week of school ever!" said my 8th grader when school was canceled yet again. Snow days are a magical thing for school-aged kids. They're unexpected, cross-your-fingers, hope-and-pray type blessings. They are rare gifts in a sea of monotonous school days.

We have had six snow days now (granted: two of them were during the weekend) and cabin fever hasn't just set in; it is like the Blob, consuming everything in its path and gaining strength along the way.

My kids keep praying for more. Maybe begging would be a better word. They've experienced the awesomeness of snow days--sleeping in, wearing pajamas all day, good food, sledding, snowball fights, and watching movies--and never want it to end.

It reminds me of a Night of Worship service we had at our church. We were nailing our sins to the cross, an act of surrender on our part, receiving God's amazing forgiveness in the process. My 10-year-old wrote on his paper, "Dear God, please forgive me for hurting my brother. Please help me not to do it anymore and thank You for all You've done for us."

As tears welled in my eyes, I was so proud of my son and his tenderness towards God. Right after that sweet moment, we took Communion as a family. He asked for seconds of the grape juice when we finished praying because "That's good juice!"

Maybe I should follow the example of my children, asking for more when i have a taste of something wonderful. God, our Provider, longs to give us more.

Of what, though? Of course, I can ask God to provide for my needs, but do I just keep asking for more stuff?

Scripture gives us ideas for what to ask for.

To know Him better -- “I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:16-17‬ (‭NLT‬‬)

To know His will -- “We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Colossians‬ ‭1:9‬ (‭NLT‬‬)

For His help -- “Now a true widow, a woman who is truly alone in this world, has placed her hope in God. She prays night and day, asking God for his help.” ‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5:5‬ (‭NLT‬‬)

For wisdom -- “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.” James‬ ‭1:5‬ (‭NLT‬‬)

Anything according to His will -- “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” 1 John‬ ‭5:14‬ (‭ESV‬‬)

Just as my kids have experienced the awesomeness of snow days and want more, so have I experienced the awesomeness of God's presence, healing, forgiveness, mercy, grace, etc. and want more. The best part: all I have to do is ask.