Years ago, when our grandson Brandon was still using a booster seat, my wife and I decided to enjoy a restaurant meal.
Being his usually active self, Brandon knocked his booster seat over and got stuck in the corner of the booth. His head was wedged against the wall while his bottom was still strapped in the seat that had fallen sideways. Our bundle of energy started some frustrated grunt type yelling…aarrghh, uhhh, so my wife told me that he needed some help.
But rather than step in right away, I told her, “Brandon always tells me, ‘I do it myself.’ And he knows how to ask for help, so if he wants me to help him up, he is going to have to ask me himself.”
After a few more grunts and futile efforts, Brandon said loudly, “Papa, help!” And so I did.
Before I could take another bite, a familiar feeling came over me. Without a spoken word, the Lord said again, “He’s just like you.”
How often do my attitudes and actions tell the Lord that I don’t want His help?
How often do I neglect to call out to Him when I should?
How often does my self dependence push Him away?
I fear it happens often enough to convince Him that I actually want to do things myself. So He sometimes lets me. Even during difficult predicaments.
He waits.
Even when I cry out in frustration, He waits.
He knows that I need Him but He waits until I know it too.
Oh the troubles I’ve instigated or prolonged because I don’t go to Him first.
So my boy reminded me that “You have not because you ask not” can apply to His help as well as His gifts.