What Did You Say?

Last Sunday night Dennis made me cry. Not to burst your bubble, o ye who love gossip, but he did not do something awful to me--what he did do was give a moving sermon about how God desires His sons and daughters to be like little children. From Jesus' words, "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein" (Luke 18:17), we get the distinct impression that our Savior puts a lot of stock in the characteristics of a child. With that in mind, I would like to focus on one in particular, that of honesty.

One of the most endearing features of young children is their honesty. As they grow, they learn to sift their words through filters. Will my words hurt the person I am talking to? Is this topic appropriate for this audience? Will I get in trouble for asking? But until those filters settle into place ...

Until then, we get awkward moments (that later bring chuckles), such as Edgar's innocent commentary on my aunt's dress. As a missionary in Mexico, Auntie Trinie was often asked to minister in rural villages. As a single lady, it was safer for her to travel with a companion. Different ladies at different times filled the bill for her, but there were times when there was no companion of the female persuasion available. At such times, a dear friend offered her young son to accompany Auntie. During one of those forays, Edgar turned to Auntie and asked, "Auntie (the respectful form of address in Mexico given to older friends of the family, even if they were not a true blood relation), why do you always wear this faded dress when we travel to a village?"

Child or no, Auntie's porcelain-like cheeks reddened with embarrassment. Edgar had asked the question with childlike honesty, with no ulterior motive or desire to shame in any way, but the truth embedded in the question caused Auntie true chagrin. It was only then, through Edgar's childlike observation, that her eyes were opened to the fact that her frugality was beyond the pail. In trying not to "waste" money given to the ministry, part of which was needed for living expenses, she was inadvertently portraying her Savior in a negative light, as being too parsimonious to bless His servant with clothes befitting His representative. The first thing she did after that outing was take that faded, threadbare dress to the backyard and burn it. Edgar's innocent comment ushered in a new era in Auntie's dress. While still conservative, from that time forth she took pains not to appear pauper-like. So little Edgar's honesty did a world of good, at least insofar as Auntie's representation of her Master went.

A little farther down in that same chapter in Luke where Jesus lauds the attributes of a child, we read about blind Bartimaeus, who called out to Jesus for mercy. When he is finally brought before Jesus, Jesus asks him, "What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?" Seems like a silly question, doesn't it? After all, the guy is blind. Of course, it's obvious what he wants, his sight. But Jesus makes him put his request into words. He calls upon Bartimaeus to be honestly precise. And Bartimaeus, not conforming to the calls of those around him peppering him not to bother the Master, dares to answer in all honesty, "Lord, that I may receive my sight." To which Jesus answers, "Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee."

Do not let the censure of friends, church members, or family define what you ask of Jesus. Those around Bartimaeus tried to shush him up. But he persevered in his quest to come to Jesus and obtain mercy from Him. Bartimaeus' perseverance (another childlike quality, I might add) and honesty won the day.

I met a beautiful, elegant lady in central Mexico with a remarkable testimony. Arthritis had left her hands twisted with unsightly knobs. One day, at a ladies' meeting, the speaker asked for those needing prayer to come forward. This precious woman had been suffering from a stomach ache, so she went to the front to ask for prayer. The speaker asked her what she wanted and the lady answered that she wanted prayer for her stomach to be healed. It so happened that a missionary was standing behind this lady. Her request left the missionary puzzled. Just her stomach? The missionary couldn't help herself and blurted out her query, "Don't you want to ask for prayer for your hands?"

The lady blinked. "Well ... yes ..." She had never thought to ask. The speaker and the missionary prayed ... and that lovely lady's misshapen hands straightened out before their eyes. When I met her, she boasted the beautiful long fingers of the classical pianist. All because she dared to ask ... just like blind Bartimaeus.

So what do we learn from these stories? One, if you want something from the Lord, ask, with the frankness of a child. Do not let the filters of the world stymie your requests ("The Lord can't be bothered with that." "You don't deserve that." "Who do you think you are, asking that of the Lord?"). Second, it pleases the Lord for you to be specific. Specific prayers ("Lord, help my son find a job") will garner specific answers as compared to general prayers ("Bless my family").

The Lord answer and bless you as you transition (if you have not already done so) into specific, honest prayers that please and glorify Him.

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God ?" (Micah 6:8)

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).