Asking for a Ride

“Take me to the supermarket!” is a phrase I didn’t think I would find myself yelling at the top of my lungs to my best friends, but there I was. I had just moved to California from the east coast with my two best friends. I had prepared months in advanced to move out to California. In all my planning, there was one thing that I overlooked: transportation. I was moving to the west coast from New York City, a place where public transportation is ubiquitous and having a car was, quite frankly, not the smartest move. All of a sudden, I found myself in a very small Southern California town and no idea how I was going to get a ride from point A to point B.

I, obviously, had my best friends with me, but I always found it difficult to ask them for a ride. So, I’d dance around the issue and say something like, “Hi… can you… So, if you’re not doing anything… I mean… I know you’re busy and all… but I was just wondering…” Five agonizing minutes later, I’d finally get around to asking my best friends for a ride.

Until one day they sat me down and said, “Jael, we love you and we want to do nice things for you. The next time you want a ride from us, we’re going to need you to yell it.” They explained to me that when I was shy about asking them for a simple favor, it made them believe that I didn’t trust them to do something kind for me. So for the next year and a half, whenever I needed a ride, I made it known. Loudly.

I’ve come to realize that I do the same with God. I’ll say a pretty prayer whenever I want to ask God for something. I just can’t remember the last time I prayed boldly. But if I really trust God with the deepest desires of my heart, doesn’t it make sense to ask him directly? Well, at least I know that is what he is asking of me:

“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him” (Luke 11:10-13, The Message)?

Jael Amador writes from New York, New York.

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