“Ask and you shall receive." Luke 11:9

Have you ever wondered why sometimes God's answers take so long in coming? I have. Sometimes we pray and pray, fast, cast out, stand on God’s promises etc. but we do not see the answer for a long time. 

There is a story of a young boy who witnessed the difficulty of a butterfly coming out of its cocoon. He pitied the butterfly struggling to get free that he decided to help the butterfly out by cutting the cocoon. He did not know that these beautiful winged creatures release a chemical when they are getting out of the chrysalis. Their pushing and pulling movements within the cocoon pumps the chemical fluid into their wings, and this chemical strengthens their wings.

Because the boy helped the butterfly, when it emerged its body was swollen and its wings weak and crumpled. The wings did not expand and it could not fly. 

Like the struggles of the butterfly, our trials and challenges have a purpose. Even the timing is important. In Romans 5:3-4 we read, “…we glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” 

And from James 1:2-4, we are encouraged to “Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

God has a wonderful plan for each of us. Let us ask, trusting that we will receive God’s answer in His perfect time! “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

“With you is forgiveness...and plenteous redemption." Psalm 130:4,7

Asking forgiveness is hard. As a Catholic, I am supposed to confess to a priest at least once a year. But every time I go, I recite the same litany of sins!

It is such an awesome thing that God's second name is forgiveness! And with Him is plenteous, bountiful, redemption! That means that for as many times as we go to God, through a priest, or just direct to God Himself, He is ready and willing to forgive us and we can be as white as snow! He knows what we are made of - Psalm 103:14 says that he knows our frame, and He knows we are dust!

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)