All You Have to do is Ask

On Friday, December 29th I wrote about our trip to California for Christmas 1985. I would like to tell you a bit more about that story.

On our return trip from the “happiest place on earth” (Disneyland, not Finland) we took a detour and headed east to Lakeview, Oregon where my aunt and uncle lived at the time.

The roads were covered in snow and by then Wendell had been driving for 12 or more hours; he was tired. I remember him stopping from time to time to rub snow on his face. I also remember being very cold. Why? My car had no heater.

California weather was doable, but Oregon, and especially Lakeview, was extremely cold that time of year. I had brought blankets to wrap around us while we traveled plus I had my gloves and a cap and coat on but still, I was cold.

You see, I had not had heat in my car for close to 2 years. Wendell had looked at it but could find nothing wrong. I did not have the money to take it to a mechanic, and so, I lived with it; I became used to it.

One day a few months after that trip a friend asked Wendell, “have you checked the fuse?”

Fuse?

“Yes, this model of car has a fuse box under the glove compartment.”

The friend then proceeded to get on his knees, reach under the glove box and pulled out a fuse box. Sure enough, a fuse was burnt.

A one-dollar fuse was all that was needed to bring heat back to my car. I could not believe I had driven in misery for 2 winters when the fix was so simple!! Freezing temperatures, fogged up windows, chattering teeth…all over one little fuse.

You know, I think many people deal with problems in their life just like I dealt with the lack of heat in my car.

At first you ponder: “I wonder what the problem is?” You may seek help from a friend or family member. They don't know how to help.

You decide that fixing your problem is just too big, it will cost too much, and so you live with it. But here is the problem to this problem: if you live with it long enough, it will become common to you; that is a very dangerous place to live.

I think many people look at God like that. I know I have been there. It feels too big to change my behavior, too big to do what I know is right. I cannot do this on my own and there is no way God wants to help me, again, and yet that still small voices continues to whisper, “Let me fix you.”

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” NKJV

Why do we not ask more often?

I drive a Jeep. I had it close to 2 years with it doing this weird little “stutter” when I was driving, especially when I accelerated.

My sister hauled many tons of block in the back of the jeep to build my retaining wall and it really acted up then; apparently objecting to the weight.

I had convinced myself it was the transmission, but, again in true Jeanette-style, I kept putting it off. Who has the money for that? Not me.

I think deep down I believe “no news is good news” and “what you don’t know can’t hurt you” or, I am one of the world’s biggest procrastinators. Anyway…

One day my oldest son was visiting from out of town, and I was talking to him about the vehicle. He said, “Mom, you bought an extended warranty with that Jeep. You need to use it before it expires.”

I had forgotten about the warranty!

I called Tom’s Auto in Grants Pass. My late husband had dealt with Tom’s many times over the years and always commented on what a nice man he was; how honest and fair he was, so I knew that was who I would call.

It turns out Tom no longer runs the shop, but his son does, and he got me in right away. I, of course, imagining the worst: the transmission.

He called me a few hours later and told me I could come pick it up.

What?

“It’s not the transmission??” Nope. It was the spark plugs!

I had my vehicle back by the end of the day and all it took was $30 in spark plugs and one-hour of shop-labor and my problem was solved. I had put that off, dreading the worst and once again, it turned out to be a simple fix.

Don't we look at our life-problems in the same way? We wonder how they will ever be solved. We forget that God is bigger than our problems. We forget about that warranty (guarantee) that Jesus paid for at the cross.

At no time should we be worried about what is going on right now. Instead, be secure in the fact that we are going to be okay. Everything is going to get fixed. There is a solution, and He is fair and honest. We can trust the Man that answers the phone and gets us right in.

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” NKJV

What are you wrestling with today? Does it feel too big for you to handle? Does it feel like the cost will be too great? Take it to our Heavenly Abba. Do not put it off another day. The help you so desperately seek is available. All you have to do is ask.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 NKJV

It is the worry of the unknown that prevents us from acting so much of the time, but God is just waiting to be invited into our lives to help.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NKJV

Whatever that “thing” is that keeps you cold, ask Jesus to fix it.

Whatever is broken in your life, Jesus can help you! Call on Him right now for the strength you need! Ask Him to fix the problems in your life and then step out of the way and watch Him work.

“Now may the God of peace, who…brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus...equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV

by Jeanette Stark – Monday, January 8, 2024