1541) Asking questions is often not a problem for me. If I’m in a meeting at school, working with an editor on a book or reading, I will ask questions to clarify things that are not clear to me. There are times though when I do find asking questions difficult. It’s when I need to ask someone to do something for me. It’s not that I think only I can take care of something. Instead, it’s because I don’t want to bother others. I also am reluctant to ask for something I really want. If everyone, including those in the Bible, share my reluctance, many amazing things in history may not have happened.

One example of these types of asking I found in Exodus 2:1-10. Here, a Levite husband and wife have a son in a period of history when Pharaoh declares all Hebrew baby boys be killed. The mother hid the son but as he grew, hiding him became too difficult, so she places him in a basket and puts him out into the Nile. His sister (Mariam) is told to watch and see what happens to him. Can you even imagine what a frightening thing is being asked of her? They put him out in water when he could not swim; among animals that would love to feed on him and in a current that could sweep him away.

As this girl watched, she saw the basket float right into the enemy’s territory. That must have been terrifying. She then sees Pharaoh’s daughter get him and is moved with compassion toward this infant. If Mariam simply left, she and her family would have missed out on a blessing, but she didn’t. She asked a question. She says, “Would you like me to find a Hebrew woman who can nurse and care for this little one until he’s old enough to eat table food?” (My words). The princess says, “That’s a great idea! Go and get one.” (My words again.) This is how Moses family gained more time with this child, feeing him, teaching him about God and more. If Mariam had not asked…

What I need to realize is sometimes I have to be willing to ask. I do not need to be deserving of what I’m asking for and the answer may be no, but I can still ask. This asking does not solely need to be for help of some sort. Jesus instructs me to ask for anything (Matthew 7:7). If I don’t, I could miss some of the greatest blessings of my life.

Dare to ask.