Thoughts for the Day

And Jesus said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give 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!’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

A toddler was making a heck of a racket in church that morning. He was fretful and bored and was probably teething. Now while I was accustomed to noisy babies and toddlers and positively encouraged parents to bring them to church, I could see that this young man was beginning to irritate others in the congregation as they prepared to receive holy communion. Then the child was offered something to play with, and it looked like the problem was solved. But how wrong we were! A well-wisher had passed him a large bunch of keys, attached to which was a small bell, and as it turned out a rather sharp screw-driver! As everyone tried to grab the keys from his grasp he kept hold of them with a fierce grip, and giggled like mad, thinking it was a wonderful game, and the jangling noise increased. The final howl of indignation was even worse!

We probably know today's reading well - Jesus teaches us to ask, to search, and to knock - and our Heavenly Father who knows what we need will respond. But sometimes we want something rather than need it and we ask for the wrong thing, and like the toddler we will cling on to our notion of what we want, with our prayers getting ever more frantic. Jesus says we must persevere in our prayer and never let up, but we should also recognise that God knows us better than we know ourselves, and may have better plans for us. No prayer goes unanswered, but the answer may surprise us!

Oh and the toddler? Well he was the impetus for the congregation to make bags of soft toys and little books for anyone with a small child to use in Church.

Father-God,
when something goes wrong in our life
we turn to You in frantic,
and fervent prayer.
Sometimes there appears
to be no answer
and we get disillusioned.
Yet Jesus has taught us
that You always answer prayer,
and as a good parent
know what is best for us.
May we learn to expect the unexpected,
and accept it will be the right answer.
Amen.