by Miriam McKenney

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“Ask, and it will be given 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.” Matthew 7:7-8

Reflect

Facebook can be a gift and a curse. I had a question I was struggling with, so I crowdsourced it on Facebook. Long story short, I wanted advice on whether or not I should do a 10K. I’ve overcome some physical limitations, but one cropped back up that caused me to question going ahead with the race.

Well, let me tell you – I got what I asked for! I got advice, opinions, and directives. I got love, shade, and frustration. I asked, and boy – was it given to me! Lots of people recommended doing the 5K. Some people said sit this one out, wait until the next race. I know I got what I asked for, but at the same time it wasn’t what I wanted. I began to feel defeated. I felt like a door was opened, but I hadn’t knocked.

Then, I remembered what asking really means. It means you may not get the answer you want. You might get “not now” as an answer. You might get “no” as an answer. And sometimes, you get “yes.” And even when it’s yes, it might not be YOUR idea of yes. God’s idea of yes may be much better than your idea. At least, that’s what happened to me.

A few of my Facebook friends had prior experience running this race, and thankfully, they gave me the information I sought. So, even though I’m going against what many of my friends advised, I’m doing the 10K. Even after I made that choice, though, I questioned it. Offering it up to God again, I asked God to stay with me through my doubts and show me that I had made the right decision. I do feel God close to me now.

But here’s the best part: asking brought me more than I thought or imagined. A good friend texted me and said: “I have no advice on whether you should or shouldn’t do the 10K and have no idea how strict they are with that stupid 16 minute mile thing. However, I am happy to walk/run/crawl with you on Saturday. Just let me know.”

What an unexpected blessing! I wouldn’t have asked her, and she wouldn’t have offered except that she saw my ask. Then, another friend offered to walk with us. My husband is walking it. I’m beginning to feel that I made the right decision. Staying focused on God through this process allowed me to honor everyone’s advice and good intentions. In the end, I’ll follow my own heart, knowing that I knocked, and the door has been opened.

Respond

What will you ask today? What door needs to be knocked on? What are you searching for? Trust in God, and go for it.

Editor’s note – I apologize for the very late delay in today’s post. Human error – posting but not hitting the publish button!