It is very easy for me, in reading today’s Gospel from Matthew, to have a simplistic and selfish view of what God does for me. This reading is commonly cited as a demonstration of God’s personal care for every person because God knows what we need and provides it for us. When I was younger, I thought that this reading suggested that whatever I wanted God would give me. If I wanted a new soccer ball – just knock on God’s door and He would open it with a shiny white ball under His arm. I quickly realized that a prayer for a new soccer ball was not the appropriate application of the care that God has for us.

Now, I may not ask for a new soccer ball because I realize the difference between a “want” and a “need.” God understands this too. However, I still do not fully comprehend how when I pray for a necessary blessing, guidance, or result that I do not get what I asked for. This is, I believe, because when we ask for something maybe we asked for the wrong thing because we had a too limited view of what we needed. However, God does provide. God knows what we need, and will not neglect our needs if we have faith. What I think I need is not what God thinks I need, the latter of these is what matters. Even though I know that God knows me and my needs, accepting my own ignorance or inability to see the bigger picture makes this a difficult reality to comprehend.

Matthew says that I should know God will provide for me because my parents provide food when I am hungry because they care for me. Since my worldly parents provide I should expect my heavenly parent to care for me as well. While this is difficult for me to comprehend that I do not know what is best for me, it is immensely comforting to know that God does know, and will provide for me.