Sometimes, we try to be as low-maintenance as possible with God. God replies, What I want is to love you.
It was my first job as a rookie out of college.
I was receiving a laptop to use for business trips. I couldn’t believe it.
Not only did I get a computer on my desk. They were going to give me to carry when I travel!
I started browsing an online catalog for a laptop case, wondering which how much the company would be willing to reimburse me.
I spent all my time comparing the least expensive options, going back and forth between a handful.
When I finally got to sit across my boss for a weekly 1-1 meeting, I saved my laptop question for the end.
How much would the company reimburse me to buy a new carrying case?
“Pick whichever one you want.”
Here I was, worrying whether I could get the case with the extra deep pockets, made out of ballistic nylon — when all along: I was free to choose.
Sometimes, we don’t ask because we don’t think we won’t receive.
Maybe
We don’t want to be a bother to God.
We mistake contentment for no-maintenance needed.
Maybe God will get tired of me.
Maybe I’ll be too much trouble for Him.
God wants more than someone who is low-maintenance.
God loves us.
His heart longs for hear us call to Him.
His shoulders are broad enough to carry us and our baggage.
He chose us because He wants to free us from our burdens.
Not just once.
Not just twice.
Not even for just the big things. But, especially the small things.
Every day.
God is a loving Father. We know that in our heads, but how to experience in our everyday lives?
It takes faith, but there no other way around it. We invite God into the deepest part of our hearts.
Where we are shy with everyone else, but not with Him.
We ask.
Boldly.
“So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.” Hebrews 4:16 (The Message)
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If you didn’t worry about being high maintenance with God, what would you you ask Him?
Take a moment and ask Him now. God wants to take you in His arms as you speak.
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29 Comments
I would ask God for a husband.
I would not be ‘content’ (which I’m really not) with being a single mom of 2 wonderful kids with a great job and home to live in. I need/crave to be loved by a man. One who allows me to love him back. I would ask for a man that is not my Knight in shining armor but instead a man that is real with me but more important real with God, whose relationship with God comes before his relationship with me. Someone who will grow with me in my walk with God, someone who will be the head of the household and help me to understand/realize that is a wonderful way to live. Its not holding me back in life but it will help me to grow. A man who will love my children as his own but never stepping on the toes of their father who is very much a part of their lives.
But instead of asking all these things, I keep saying OK God, I’ll be patient for whatever you bring my way….
Lisa
Lisa, having been a single until my 30’s, I’d say: Do both! 🙂 It’s a continual surrender and also being real with our desires.
And no matter what folks around you might say through words or actions, keep praying and being patient. People told me my standards were too high. Nope. It was at timing thing. God was preparing my heart and that of my husband – and were weren’t ready for each other until we were in our 40s. We are both wacky, and he’s the perfect fit for me. Which, of course, God knew. 🙂
I apologize to God on a daily basis. For taking up space. For being such a slow learner. And mostly for being a disappointment to Him.
If I didn’t worry so much about being high maintenance with God, I would ask Him to hold me. A lot. Every day.
But I’m afraid He will say no. And I don’t want to be needy, or childish, or vulnerable. I imagine He would rather have me be strong, capable, and maybe invisible….
Aw, Julie. A BIG HUG TO YOU. right now, friend! There is no disappointment with God! He is endless love. Ask Him to hold you. A lot. Every day. That is your heart responding to God’s nearness. The other voice is a lie.
Wow Bonnie, this one really hit home! I DO try to be low maintenance, pretty much in all my relationships, but I hadn’t thought about what that meant in my relationship with God. Of course my human relationships can’t read my mind and know what I need unless I ask, even though God already knows what I need sometimes he is waiting on me to ask him. Wow, light bulb moment!
So happy you’re here, Lisa Marie!
After a very painful divorce, God told me I had to heal and that I couldn’t date anyone. Well the wait was 3 long years. But they were a season of Spring for me. For me and my Lord entered into the sweetest 3 years of my walk with Him. Then He told me He had someone for me and when that man came it was so special. He also told me that this man was a “work in process”. I didn’t quite understand that but as time went on I began to see. He was the mate that I had so longed for and waited for all of my life. We dated 2 years and had so much in common. As time went on God showed me how broken and hurt this man was. He was beat by his earthly dad and his mom abandoned him at the age of 5. My heart cried for him and for all the hurt that was his. I treated him as Christ would have a woman treat a man. The love I had for him was the Agape love of Christ. And then the first day of Summer, he suddenly broke up with me. I was devastated and have never been so hurt. God revealed to me that this man is running not from me but from the One who indwells me. I am now in the season of Winter where my heart is broken, but I am in late Winter. For as the crocus comes up through the snow, my heart is beginning to bloom again. I would ask God to bring this man whom I love with all my heart to the end of himself. That he would fall to his knees and reach for the only One who can bring true healing to each of us. That the years that the locust have taken would be made new and that he, my beloved Bryan, would truly know the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that the spirit of oppression and lies that is upon him would be broken and that he would come out of the darkness into the Light. For my God is a mighty deliverer and with Him all things are possible. I would ask that he would come to the end of himself and fall to his knees. For when that day comes, my Bryan, will truly meet the One who will never abandon him and he will come face to face with the One who has so longed and loved him.
Oh, Amy! My heart just stopped reading how your heart broke. You are healing, friend. Nourish your heart, find friends who you can slowly do the everyday things again and be there when the memories return. Point yourself forward and lean into Jesus when it’s hard. New life is ahead.
hi Amy, i just read your post. u are a true believer and your words express faith. I am touched by your sincerity and God will surely bless u. I know you are healing and this wounds will leave no scare. I join Bonnie to say to you……..New Life is ahead……and it will be exciting!
Oh sweet friend, this is such a delightful invitation, and one I know He has given me time and time and TIME again! This Grace is for the taking. There’s Freedom in our relationship with our Father.
The truth of how I shirk back in fear (or whatever) is so evident as I try to encourage my own child to be honest with me, never fearful to ask. And I hear my words as an invitation for my own weary heart.
I never really realized that I try to live this way, thinking maybe this is the best way. You’ve really got me thinking today, and I’m so appreciative!
(By the way…my freedom-asking is for a different job…and though I feel contentment for Today–I really do–I still long for another child, Father. Thank you that you know my heart and invite me to speak it aloud.)
Thank you, Heavenly Daddy, for Amy and her freedom-asking prayers! I’m so grateful I can be here to say, “Amen!” alongside her! Hug her extra hard today. In Your Name, Amen.
Oh, thank you, my friend! And thank you, Father, for Bonnie’s caring heart. You’re such a gracious and loving Daddy to us. Thank you how personal you are!
That the trials that are happening would stop… but then I don’t know that I want that because I am learning that pain is my friend because it causes me to look to Jesus for everything. I just would like some time to breath sometime.
Take your time, Katie. Breathe. Jesus, draw near to my friend today.
I got a chance to BREATH and relax today in the woods with my hubby looking at deer! It was like a pause on life and so beautiful. Thank you for your prayers!
Wow this does really hit home. I do this all the time. I try to be low maintenance because I don’t feel like I put enough effort into my relationship with God, so that is how I make myself feel better about it. I won’t ask for certain things because I feel like I don’t deserve it. I wll beat myself up during my prayer time because I feel like I don’t deserve anything. I am struggling so much in my personal prayer time…my mind is so busy. I am so distracted and worried about my brand new baby I can’t focus on my prayer time. I know God will understand this, but I can’t let it go in my head. Being high maintenance is what God wants, you are right. He wants me to say everything going on, not just what I think He needs to know- why I think He doesn’t know everything already makes me laugh! Thanks Bonnie- this faith journey is hard-this prayer life I desire is hard!
Becca! Yes– fly into your Heavenly Daddy’s arms, just like your new baby is sinking into yours. Completely dependent. And loved. Hang in there!
This is so true of me! I was taught all of my life not to bother others, not to rock the boat. But if I am bold, I would have to say that more than anything, I want children. I want a family.
I was taught the same, too, Amy. And my Heavenly Daddy is teaching me different. Loved your heart’s prayer. Thanks for the honor of hearing it!
This “31 days” is so great — maybe it should become 365 days to feed your soul…?
I’d ask for faith to believe that I am who He says I am.
I’m hoping to serve up shots of faith to do just that! Thanks, Cathy!
I would ask God for help with my marriage. My husband and I are trying desperately to find what brought us together six years ago. It isn’t easy and at times I desperately want to just throw in the towel. So I’d like to ask God for determination, and thoughtfulness, and grace, things that I believe my marriage so desperately needs.
Arlene, thanks for the honor of hearing this heart-vulnerable prayer. I have no doubt that is the heart of our Heavenly Father to see you through this. You’re not alone.
* Listen to His voice and His guidance in the areas of Holy Living especially when I learnt about their challenges and how to present it to the guys so they will not be a listener only but the doer of His word. It’s a privilege to serve Him full time in a mission field.
* Learn to fully surrender my life to Him slowly and steadily.
* Gifts that will bring Glory and Honor to Jesus such as listen to others and response wisely, teaching His word in multicultural society and language.
* Engage in the discipline of prayer.
“Lord, I sometimes decide not to ask You for things for fear of what You’ll say. You might say “no” and I might be disappointed. I know that as a loving parent, You want what is best for me. You want me to trust You, whatever the answer is. I pray today that You would bless my husband and his business. We know the road to success does not always end with prosperity. Sometimes, success looks like a mature, healthy, strong relationship with You that can weather any storm. So please bless him, I pray. Amen.” Thanks, Bonnie for giving us the courage to just ask.
OH Bonnie! This is going to be wonderful to meditate on. Thank you. I can ask Him anything! I’m not a burden!
The laptop carrying case will stay with me. Thank you for sharing something so concrete that I needed to visualize today!
I would ask for restoration of my family. I would ask for the baptism of the Holy Spirit upon my family. I would ask for wholeness… salvation… surrender. It is something i’ve asked for years and years. It would take a miracle. God is a miracle working God.