Ask and You Will Receive

"Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
Luke 11:9

I wanted to write a quick post because this Gospel really got me thinking on Sunday. I was coming from a horrible week starting with my little boy fighting a nasty virus, a parking ticket, and then the disturbing hassle of having my wallet stolen while shopping. Things do seem to come in threes, don't they? Needless to say, I was feeling pretty discouraged by the time Sunday rolled around. 

I almost laughed when I heard this reading, because all I had been thinking all week was "I don't think I'm a bad person...why is all this happening?" and I hadn't felt too inclined to ask God for anything, since it seems like all this stuff happens whether we like it or not! I wasn't angry that He allowed it or anything, just mildly annoyed and having trouble seeing the point of prayers of supplication. But then in Mass, I realized, I can ask! Not only can I ask, but I can be sure that the answer will be the best one, even if it's disguised as a big huge hassle. Instead of praying that my wallet never gets stolen again, I felt inclined to pray just to be okay with the way things are. Surprisingly, what dawned on me in that moment was that I'm so glad life isn't one big, easy cake walk. Each of us is formed in our strengths through the challenges we overcome. Every one of us has faced difficulty, and overcoming those is what makes all the people I love, who they are. I think of all the people I admire, and none of them have sailed through life on a rainbow. Quite the opposite. 

I went into church feeling discouraged and beaten, and walked out grateful. What a blessing!