She stood there twisting her tiny fingers together, little bare toes on one foot crossed over the other one. I bent down closer to her face because she has spoken so softly that I didn’t understand what she said. So, I asked her to tell me again what she had said. She looked up at me with those big, blue eyes and said, “I wanna tell Pop sumpin.” He had just left to go to the store and was pulling out of the garage but her sweet request was irresistible, so we hurried to try to catch him.
Of course, he stopped backing up when he saw us frantically waving from the garage. Then we walked up to the car and he rolled down the window. He said, “What’s Up?” and I told him that Haylee has something to ask him. Once again, she looked up at him twisting her little fingers together and said, “Pop, can I have pink donut please?” I could just see his heart melt. He said, “Pop will try really hard to find you a pink donut!” She scampered back into the house confidently awaiting his return and the yummy treat.
It was a day where we were literally counting pennies to get the few things we needed at the store but there was not a single hesitation on our part to fulfill her request above all else. Why? First and foremost, we love her! Secondly, she rarely asks for anything and is always so excited about whatever she is given. Finally, and quite selfishly, we wanted to feel the joy that her delight in the pink donut would invoke within us.
When Pop returned, she was waiting at the door with great anticipation for the pink donut, never having doubted for one moment that he was going to bring her one. As he handed it to her, she squealed with delight but I’m not quite sure who was experiencing the greater joy – Haylee or us. (Nana and Pop)
In that moment, it occurred to me (I really love it when things occur to me!) that delight that our Father feels when He give us those things for which we ask. NO, not the roof over our heads or the food we eat of the air that we breathe, for these things ought not to be in our pleadings to God. I can assure you that little Haylee never loses any sleep wondering or worrying over things such as this.
But rather, THE PINK DONUT, whatever that may be!
Unlike us, though, God never has to count pennies, as his resources are limitless!* So, why don’t we ask Him for such things? Is it as simple as “You have not because you ask not? (James 4:2) Maybe, but it is more likely a lack of intimacy in our relationship with Him thereby creating a distance between us that makes us feel uncomfortable asking for “favor”.
It’s very evident in the scriptures that we bring great joy to God.
• Zephaniah 3:17, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with singing.”
• Psalm 147:11, “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.”
• Isaiah 62:4, “No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married.
It is also quite clear that it is a circle/reciprocal relationship.
• Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
• Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”
• Romans 5:2, “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
• Psalm 43:4, “Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy.”
I cannot surmise any more eloquently or thoroughly than Paul did in the following passages.
*Ephesians 3:14-21 (NLT) 14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21
So, go ahead, Ask for the Pink Donut!
