Giving Good Gifts

And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 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!” Luke 11:5-13

It can be a challenge to admit our needs. Not our needs for things we crave or things we desire but our true deep needs. So many people get to adulthood and forget how to ask and how to pray. We assume we are being weak of we ask. We turn away from asking for help because we want to appear independent. And yet real string men and women know when they need support and help and bravely ask.

Jesus was teaching his disciples to pray. He taught them to go to God on a regular basis, seeking support and strength in all times. He taught them, as he teaches us today that we human parents know how to love and care for our children by the example of our perfect heavenly parent. Our generosity and goodness comes from a perfect source, a loving Divine who wants to be in relationship with us - a holy and good Creator who aches to care for our deepest needs.

Today I ask God to help me be numbered among the brave warriors of faith, who are not afraid to pray constantly, and ask for the needs of the world. May we who know God's love in our lives, share that love with the world. May we be inspired by God's generosity. May we seek God in every struggle we face. And may we all be true brave warriors, willing to get down on our knees for the welfare of the world.