Perhaps one of the most asked questions in life is this: “What would you like?” From childhood through our teen years, from the earliest years of marriage and parenting and now, for me at least, in my senior years, it seems we’re continually either asking or being asked, “What would you like?”
Those four simple words take on their own personality depending on the accompanying facial and body expressions. They convey dramatically different messages depending on the tone of voice in which they’re spoken and the circumstances under which they’re asked.
I remember those times when I first begin querying our children as to their preferences in everything from breakfast cereal to what they wanted to wear to school that day. They were happy times and the older I get the more I treasure those memories. Then there were those times when neither they nor I could agree on things that matter most to teens. I just thank God that our sons turned to be such great adults in spite of me!
It is in those times of grief and sorrow, however, that we find that question, posed by caring and loving friends and family, so heart-wrenching.
Although I’ve read the account of Jesus healing a blind man (Luke 18:39-42) many times during my life, the impact of His question to him hit me hard this week: “What do you want Me to do for you?”
“Isn’t that obvious?” came to mind. “What else would he be asking for?”
Thinking of my own circumstances I came to this conclusion: Answers aren’t always easy, but “easy” answers aren’t welcome. Rather, we need the peace that comes with knowing He is the ultimate provision for every need. In every circumstance we face He asks us the same question. His answers are His prerogative but He always listens.
