"Can I have goldfish colors mommy please THANK YOU!"

Shout out to my Fin who couldn’t even say “mommy” until she was 4 1/2 years old and couldn’t make a request using a full sentence until years later. And shout out to God for bringing people into her life to help her learn to talk.

But that’s not what I wanted to tell y’all today.

I wanted to talk about HOW she asks (not her bossiness-this time).

She doesn’t just ask hoping that I will give her some of her beloved goldfish. She asked with confidence that I would give her what she asked for. She was so confident that she included “thank you” in her request.

Jeremy started a sermon series on James a few weeks ago. If you need a good study of practical tips for Christians, James is your book. You can study it on your own or listen to his sermons on the Stockdale church of Christ Facebook page anytime.

Here’s the point: At the beginning of the book, James says this:

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord.”

Our Heavenly Father wants us to come to Him with ALL our requests. Our big requests for healing and financial struggles and other’s souls as well as our small requests (another post for another day).

And He wants to generously give us the desires of our heart. (I didn’t say it—He did).

But He has a request too.

He requests that we ask in faith. What does that mean? Why does it matter? I think Finley’s request helps us understand.

When Finley asks, she knows I will give her what she wants. Why? Because she’s asked before (many times) and I’ve given them to her so she knows she can trust me. She knows I will give her what she’s asks for because she knows I love her.

God wants us to have that kind of relationship with Him. He wants us to know that we can trust him. He wants us to know that He loves us.

Maybe you feel confident in His love. Maybe you don’t. If you don’t—you are in good company. Many people struggle with this. You can start by googling “verses about God’s love” or “verses about God’s faithfulness.” Make sure you have a church that you can meet with to learn and grow together. Surround yourself with people who know how much God loves them. Spend more time listening to the word of God and less time listening to the world.

And keep following me and Finley—because we’re going to keep reminding you every chance we get.