11 “Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 “Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Luke 11:11–13 (NAS)

There’s a familiar saying, “Be careful what you wish for.” I’m thankful that my Heavenly Father doesn’t always answer my prayers. How do I know what is right and good for me? He certainly doesn’t pull a “bait and switch” and giftwrap snakes and scorpions, but he will substitute what we need for what we want. I prefer it that way.

In theory, if he were only to give the Holy Spirit in place of my request, would that not be the best thing? In prayer we’re really asking for his take on things, not ours. Time and time again what’s on my shopping list gets “one bettered.” He only asks that we keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking, not to buy himself time, but to change our minds to that which matches his. Surely good things come to those who wait on him.