My sister and I just got back from a trip to Scotland. There was a day towards the end of the trip when we were visiting a tourist spot, and I was talking to the tour guide about all the wonderful and amazing archaeology we had seen. I said, “Well. You’ve not yet shown me a crannog. I think that’s the only thing on my archaeology bucket list, I’ve yet to see.” We parted company, both laughing, and I began to walk to whatever I was supposed to be looking at. I saw a few college-aged people with suitcases and other luggage.
“Hey, that looks like some equipment. What are y’all up to?” Nosey, over-friendly American, right?
Anyways, one of the women turns to me and says, “We are archaeology PhD candidates from — University.”
I reply, “That’s wonderful, I love archaeology! What are you digging for?” Turns out their site, a few miles away at a lake, was a crannog! She told me all about it!
There are many more of these sort of magical moments each day, when we don’t get what we ask for, we get something way, way better than we could have even imagined. That’s why the Lord likes us to ask. By actually articulating for ourselves what we are hoping for, we are more apt to notice when He provides much much more!
The gospel reading presents an added detail to the same idea; these parables are very much about the game of Hide and Seek. For the seeking to be fun and rewarding, we can’t have that which we are seeking at the outset. There are times, like when we are playing the game with young people, that we have to actually make that which is to be found, disappear before we begin. We tend to get sad when we ‘lose’ people or things or abilities, but we need to if we are to discover the new and better gifts the Lord wants to give to us. Just like a game of Hide and Seek.
Once, when I attended an orientation to a new job, the director of the facility stated his customer service motto, “The expectation is that you exceed expectations…” I think it’s the Lord’s motto, too!
Reflection Questions
- For 3 to 5 days, list out what you want from the Lord. On paper. A bullet list is fine. Put it away.
- After a week or more, pull out the list. Reflect on each thing that you asked for. How did the Lord answer your prayer?
- Alternatively, if you keep a daily journal, in which you converse with the Lord, review some old entries with a mind towards discovering how the Lord has answered your prayers.
Writing to Pray 