More Than I Could Wish For...

We're all familiar with the fairy tale of the genie and the lamp. "What do you wish of me?" You'd be asked to make 3 careful wishes... and no wishing for more wishes. In real life, we don't get such wishes, but we do ask things of our Father in heaven, and He grants unbelievable blessings. Just like Solomon, He gives us even more than we ask

1 Kings 3:5-15

5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."

6 Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

7 "Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life." 15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.

I felt rather like Solomon this weekend. I asked for something simple- for a future husband who would love the Lord. But, like Solomon, I was granted so much more. I was given family and friends who love me and share in my joy with me. On Sunday I was overwhelmed by the beauty of seeing so many friends and family come together to shower me with gifts of love, time, and so much more. Their love and generosity were so humbling, offering me so much that is so helpful right now. Their generous gifts are enough for us to get a bed! It may sounds silly, but that is a huge relief right now, one less thing to worry about as we look for places, think about downpayments and everything else.

I told my mom that I would've been fine with something much simpler, but she said, "Everyone knows that. But they all love you, and they wanted to do this for you." I feel so very loved and blessed... by the "moreover" gifts given to me (which remind me of the gifts given to Solomon). I asked for a simple gathering, but moreover- I was showered with love, the presence of so many people that I love and care about- some traveling so far to see me, generous gifts that will help us in our new step, time and effort of the preparations for the beautiful party- lovely flowers, a scrapbook that I will treasure forever, delicious food, fun Katie O trivia! So many blessings, so much love... I am humbled by the gift of friendship and family ties which I saw so vividly on Sunday, reminding me of the best gift that God has given to us... each other, and the command to love one another. That is the most perfect gift that I was reminded of on Sunday.

And now I ask that in my marriage, God would grant me the discerning heart of Solomon, to continue to follow Him and do His work.