This morning I was reading the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 7), and I came across the well-loved passage, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be open to you.” Those are powerful words. We have a Father in Heaven who is all-powerful and WILLING to give us what we ask for.
Jesus goes on to say, “Who among you would give his son stone when he asks for bread, or a snake when he asks for fish? If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him!”
So there we have it. God is our Father. He’s there to provide.
So why is it that sometimes we ask for something, and it never shows up? We ask for healing of a disease, and our loved one slips through our fingers. We ask for a baby, and a pregnancy never happens. Our dreams for our life, perfectly good and holy, never materialize.
How is it that God answers our prayers and gives us every good thing, when sometimes it seems we are surrounded by brokenness?
I honestly think that sometimes, when we ask God for bread, he gives us a power bar instead. It doesn’t taste as good, it looks smaller, it’s kind of strange, and it’s hard to chew. You look at it and wonder, “How can this little bar satisfy me like that yummy buttery piece of white bread toast?”
Sometimes we stare at that power bar for years without eating it. We’re angry at our Father for not giving us the bread we wanted. We’re like stubborn children that won’t eat their broccoli.
But at some point, if we are trusting enough, we’ll find the courage to take a bite. We eat that power bar. We might not like the taste. It might be hard to chew. But after a while, we realize something.
Our Father knows what He is doing. He gave us exactly what we needed for the journey ahead.
He takes the pieces of our broken dreams and with them He makes a new creation.
I don’t know why I have MRKH. I don’t know why my friends and family are dealing with so much of their own pain and suffering. Maybe I’ll never know. But I know that for me, I will Trust in my Father.
Today I choose to eat that power bar.
Tales from the Valley 
As I go through the infertility journey (6 years so far) and also live with MS I have asked all the questions too. I still ask them but find that many answers to the “why” question just don’t seem to fit. I think that infertility and illness exist because this fallen world is not the perfect world that God created. I’m so glad to know that He can and will use everything for good for those who love Him though. He’s not surprised by anything and He’s not left wondering how to respond to it. I’ve learnt so many useful lessons on this journey and am grateful for the “power bar” that gives me the energy to keep going. Thanks for your thoughts Good to see someone thinking thorugh similar issues.
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Hi Rachel. Thank you for reading. It’s true, the “why” questions don’t really work, do they? I’m just amazed at how I go through phases, a lot like a grieving person. I was 16 when I learned I didn’t have a uterus, and at first I think I may have been in denial. There were years I didn’t even think about it. Then during my engagement it started to surface, and since my wedding it has really become a lot more difficult. I had no idea it would be this hard. My heart goes out to you and I will keep you in my prayers. 🙂
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Thanks so much for your reply and for the prayers 🙂 Sending you some prayers right now too
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