Thought I would add a funny picture of my dog Sasha to brighten your day
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” — James 1:5 NIV
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” — Matthew 7:7–8 NIV
I was feeding the dogs their breakfast, just as I do every morning. Sasha and Mabel went into their “bedrooms”—their crates—while BJ and Sarah ate in the living room.
With everyone settled, I sat down to enjoy my coffee.
But before I could relax, Sasha started making quite a racket. She shook her crate, pushed her paw through the door, and whined as though something terribly important needed my attention.
I got up to see what all the fuss was about.
There, on the floor, was one little piece of kibble, just beyond her reach.
Sasha had eaten her breakfast, but that one piece had become the center of her attention. She could see it. She wanted it. And no matter how hard she stretched her paw through the door, she couldn’t quite get it.
I smiled, picked it up, and handed it to her. She wiggled with excitement over that tiny bite.
As I returned to my coffee, I thought about how often I do the same thing.
Something I want sits just beyond my reach, and suddenly it becomes all I can see. I worry, struggle, and try to force a way forward. Sometimes I become so focused on what I don’t have that I overlook the blessings God has already placed before me.
How much peace do we lose trying to grasp something before we have even brought it to Him in prayer?
James 1:5 reminds us that when we lack wisdom, we can ask God. We don’t have to figure everything out alone. He gives generously, without finding fault with us for needing His help.
And in Matthew 7:7–8, Jesus invites us to ask, seek, and knock. We are welcome to come to Him with our needs, our questions, and the desires weighing on our hearts.
That invitation doesn’t mean God will hand us everything we want exactly when we want it. He sees what we cannot: whether something will help us, whether we are ready for it, and whether another path would be better.
Sometimes we need His provision. Sometimes we need His direction. And sometimes we need His help to loosen our grip on something we have mistaken for a need.
Sasha’s little piece of kibble reminded me that I can pause before the struggling begins. I can ask my heavenly Father for help and trust Him with what happens next.
Whatever feels just out of reach today, bring it to God. Ask for wisdom. Tell Him what is on your heart. Then listen for His direction.
The peace we need may begin with a simple prayer: “Father, will You help me?”
Reach past your worldly desires and reach for God.
Reflection Questions
1. What feels just out of reach in your life, and how has it been affecting your peace?
2. Have you asked God for wisdom about it, or mainly asked Him to give you the outcome you want?
3. What blessings can you thank Him for today while you wait for His direction?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for caring about the things on my heart. Forgive me for the times I become so focused on what I want that I overlook what You have already given me. When I feel frustrated or uncertain, remind me to come to You first. Give me wisdom to recognize what I truly need, patience to wait, and courage to follow Your direction. Help me trust Your goodness even when Your answer looks different from what I hoped. In Jesus’ name, amen.
