All Requests
“Mommy, the ear fell off my owl hat. Can you fix it?” Her little eyes brimmed with tears, uncertain of whether or not the hat would live to see another day.
“Sure, I think I can. I’ll work on it tomorrow.” I tossed the hat in the laundry room, on top of the to-do pile. Truth is, my house can easily turn into one big to-do pile in half a day. There’s never a shortage around here.
And the one thing I really didn’t want to do… sew an ear back on the owl hat.
That hat has miraculously survived two girls. It’s already lost a few pieces over its lifetime, but we just can’t let it go. And by we, I mean them. Were it up to me, I would’ve tossed it in the trash. But I know how much she likes it, and I also appreciated the fact that she genuinely thought I could fix it.
She had more faith in my abilities that I did, at the moment. I didn’t want to disappoint.
The next morning, amidst a plethora of other things to do – things that seemed more significant - I made a point to dig through my jar of thread for a matching shade of pink. I did my best to attach the missing piece, and I eventually got it on there. It wasn’t perfect, but my girl was so happy to have her hat back in one piece. Momma came through.
I don’t know about you, but I often apply my thoughts about the owl hat to my prayer life. I don’t want to bother God with things that appear small and insignificant when I know He’s got plenty to tend to. There are so many other pressing issues that need attention, and so I refrain from asking. This thing, this request, it’s pretty minor anyway. I can probably figure out a way to handle it on my own. Save Him the time and effort.
But that’s not how God works, dear friends. And, according to His word, He welcomes our requests – no matter the size. We are encouraged to “cast ALL our cares upon Him,” (1 Peter 5:7) and to “pray about EVERYTHING.” (Philippians 4:6) And I believe God means it. If not, why else would He gives us such gracious instructions?
Just as I desire my girls to come to me in their time of need, how much more does God desire His children to look to Him as their source of help, guidance, and provision?
No matter what it is, no matter how big or small the request may seem, God is perfectly capable of taking care of it. Our job, then, is to relinquish control, trust completely, and wait patiently.
And when we allow God the opportunity to care for us and meet our needs, our faith is increased as we remember He is a good and loving father who He cares greatly for all of His children.
