Candy Grandpa

Nearly every congregation has one. A Candy Grandpa (or sometimes grandma). Think of the one you know—the smiling elder who always has a pocket full of candies—lifesavers or smarties or peppermints. The children learn quickly who it is, even if the adults don’t always pay much mind.

A few moments after the “Amen” is said, the Candy Grandpa is surrounded by children. Some of them come up to him boldly, grinning, with hands outstretched. Others approach him quietly, almost shyly. None are disappointed.

There are some children, often the younger ones, who don’t venture out to find the Candy Grandpa. I’ve noticed some Candy Grandpas who still find these little ones and offer them the treats they’ve handed out to the others.

My mind goes to the Bible and the verses where we are directed to be childlike. Do I bring my petitions humbly before God? Do I have the courage to ask for good things?

Often I get stuck in the same old prayers—“Lord, just help me make it through the day” or “Please forgive me again.” Wouldn’t it delight God to have me ask Him in faith for something my heart desires?

“Ask, and it shall be given you” (Matthew 7:7a). It’s so hard for me to take this verse to heart. I’m afraid to ask for things, afraid I’ll be turned away. I falter in my faith that God has anything for me other than necessities.

But we serve a good God, a gracious God, who delights in us and wants us to have good things. “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:11)

Sometimes we give God one chance. We ask Him for something we really want, and when He tells us “no” or “wait” or “I have something better in mind,” we decide we can’t trust Him enough to make another request. Next time we desire something, we try to find a way to get it for ourselves or we begrudge God a bit for not giving it to us when we haven’t even given Him a chance to do so!

How unlike children and the Candy Grandpa. If the Grandpa runs out of candy for one Sunday, does that mean the children will never ask him for candy again? No, of course not. They’ll try in a week, just like normal. They trust that the source of good things will not suddenly disappear.

There are many, many times when God simply walks up to us and hands us beautiful gifts. But God also likes to hear our hearts. He loves the humble, childlike spirit of the one who kneels before Him and expresses exactly what it is that is wanted.

Maybe we picture God as righteous judgement. That is part of who God is, but He is mercy and gentleness and love. He will not give us a stone when we come asking for bread (Matthew 7:9).

I tend to feel unworthy to ask for good things. I know God has already given me the ultimate gift—His Son, who died a tremendously cruel death, the death that I deserved—and so I determine that I won’t be a bother and ask Him for more. But how silly that mindset is when we think about it.

Imagine yourself, pouring all of your love and care into someone in need. Hypothetically, suppose someone’s house is destroyed by fire. Because you are, in this scenario, a very wealthy person and the victim is someone you care about deeply, you give them a large sum of money to rebuild. You also volunteer time and effort in the planning stages and construction. The house goes up on schedule. It’s a lovely home, with a gracious porch and a welcoming front door.

One evening, after your friends have settled in, you stop by and notice the living room is dark. When you flip the switch by the front door, nothing happens. Confused, you turn to your friend, who stands there blushing. “We couldn’t afford lightbulbs,” he says, “and we didn’t want to ask and be a bother.”

What would you do? I’d do one of two things. I’d either go out and buy lightbulbs or leave them money to do the same. I think you would, too. Because this house feels like your project. You’ve invested in it. You care about what goes on there. What is the sense of gifting a beautiful dwelling, then letting the occupants sit in the dark? You have plenty of money at your disposal. You wouldn’t even miss the price of a lightbulb or two.

But that’s exactly what I do to God. I refrain from asking the things I want because I forget He’s invested everything in me. He has an intrinsic interest in each one of us as His creation.

And so I want to learn to ask God for good things. I want to be trusting and humble and childlike. I want to be vulnerable in expressing my desires. I want to walk up to Him with faith and open hands. Even if He does tell me no, our relationship is more beautiful because of the sharing of my heart with His.

And He rejoices every time His children, in a simple, open, childlike way, kneel before His throne.

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (2 Corinthians 9:15)