Matt 7:11

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!  Matt 7:11

I have found it easy to forget at times that God is for me.  In my lack of faith I find myself thinking “is God really for me?  What can I trust on from God?  Will God really bless me when I ask him?  Why bother asking him.”  Forgive my God for my lack of faith!  Matt 7:7-11 reminds me that God would have us ask for what we need with faith.  He desires to give us great gifts, even more than a father would give his children.  When I think of my son or daughter asking for something they need or even that they really want, I can not imagine cursing them rather than blessing them.  At times I may know better then them what is good for them.  However I cannot imagine not wanting to bless them, and give them the things they need, and even want.  In the same way God loves to give good things to me.

Do Not be Anxious (ouch)

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?  Matt 6:25-26

A friend of mine reminded me that I should not worry about what I can not control.  I really struggle with anxiety, to the point of a lack of faith in God.  I worry about our child, money, possessions, job, my new phone (ouch) and the list goes on…  However this verse reminds me that God is faithful to provide what we need.  In my weaker moments I ask where the rubber meets the road in my life with God’s promises.  Of course his blessings are with out number, they are too many.  This is not to say that I do not need to work, nor is this a health and wealth promise.  That is clear from all of those that are suffering around us, and our family as well.  But this verse is a reminder of a very practical application of the promises he gives me:  He will provide what I need, I do not need to be anxious.

That God May be Glorified

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:1-4 (ESV)

We are facing the possibility that our unborn daughter, due in six weeks, may have downs syndrome.  It is too early to tell, but it is a possibility.  At times I am tempted to think that if this is the case, it must be the fault of some sin that I have committed.  Indeed, if I were to believe this, there would a great number of sins that no qualify for this 'punishment.'  Perhaps my lack of faith, my anxiety and fear, selfishness would be enough for God to bring me suffering.  But this passage is a reminder to me that all things are in God's providence, and all things serve a His ends.  No doubt God has some greater purpose for me, family and even this child.  I pray that no matter the state of this child, God would be honored and glorified, He would make his purposes and love known to us, that He would draw near to us.  God is good, and whatever the outcome, I believe it will be a blessing from God.  .