Hey Reader,

This past Sunday after church, I took my youngest son to the art store.

He’s really into drawing and sketching, and I’d been trying to get him to this store for some time. But it closed right when I got off work, so we never seemed to make it. Sunday, we finally did.

My son is one who doesn’t ask for much, and he has such gratitude for anything he’s given. As we roamed the store for what felt like a century, he would pick up an item, explain to me how it was used, and then put it back down.

I kept asking, “Do you need that?” And each time, it was as if he was convincing himself that he didn’t.

Then we came to an area with boxes of special drawing pencils. His face lit up. Excitement filled his heart, and he grabbed them. Then he looked at the price.

“Never mind, it’s $33,” he said, as he placed them back on the shelf.

“Son, do you know my budget? Did I say that was too much for me? I came here to get you what you needed. Just ask me if it’s okay, and I’ll let you know. But don’t assume I don’t want you to have it, or that I can’t get it for you.”

Later, as I shared that moment with a friend, the Lord pricked my heart:

“Rachel, you often do the same. I told you in My Word to ask, seek, and knock, but you quickly assume I won’t give you the good thing, so you don’t even ask.”

Whew! That hit me.

As we read Luke 3–5 this weekend, notice the man with leprosy who comes to Jesus in Luke 5:12:

“Lord, if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” (NLT)

He knew Jesus could. He just wasn’t sure Jesus would. But he asked anyway. And Jesus reached out, touched him, and said, “I am willing.” (Luke 5:13, NLT)

Just like I reassured my son that we came to that store so I could give him what he needed, I want to remind you of the same. Don’t assume the answer before you ask.

Of course, I didn’t say yes to everything that day. But I made sure he had what he needed, and some of what he wanted, for the gift he’s been called to.

This Weekend in the Word, consider what you’ve quietly put back on the shelf. Bring it to the Father. Ask, seek, knock, and trust Him with the answer.

And remember, time with God is time you will never regret spending.

In the Word with you,

​

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