“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

— Matthew 7:9-11

2 AM. Tossing and turning. Worrying about how we’re going to pay for this or that. Tuition. Doctor’s bills. The end of our money comes faster than our end-of-the-month payday. God’s everyday blessings are easy to miss when we’re buried in worry. And yet, we’ve never had a need that God hasn’t met. In fact, through the years, we’ve traveled across the world on mission trips and helped our kids through college. God has provided in some big ways. But sometimes, he gives us a tiny gift reminding us of his love. 

The Answer They Weren’t Looking For

This week my son called. “Mom, you’ve got to hear this story.” 

He’d been worried about paying tuition for graduate school. His lovely new wife won’t start her teaching job for a couple of weeks and their funds are tight. Like most newlyweds, they live mostly on ramen noodles and love. But some friends were in town and invited them to dinner. This spur of the moment meal wasn’t in the budget. So they gathered the few extra dollars they had, and planned what they would order to make the most of their meal. A milkshake sounded so good. They could use more than their allotted amount, blow their budget, and figure it out later. Instead, they decided to stick to the plan.

They all ordered, got their drinks, and found a seat. A few minutes later, their friend (who had ordered a milkshake) went to get her order. “They gave me an extra milkshake and they won’t take it back. Anyone want a free milkshake?” My son and his wife looked at each other and said at the exact same time, “We’ll take it!” 

On the way home that night, they couldn’t stop smiling. God saw the desires of their hearts and gave them a gift. It was a small thing. Almost imperceptible. But they were looking. They saw his hand in that tiny moment.

When We Only See The Big Miracles

On some level, I think, we expect God to help us meet the “big” needs. You know, the ones that require a mini-miracle. Like that year we had a tuition payment and our tax refund landed in our account the same day. It’s not hard to see God in the sweeping gestures, the powerful healings, the grandiose movements of lives radically changed. And these are all wonderful things. Mighty testimonies that demonstrate God’s work in the world. 

Grace In Miniature

But what about the small, everyday blessings we sometimes pass over as unimportant. A butterfly that lights on your bag. The smile of your daughter. A well-timed milkshake. That’s grace in miniature. These good gifts emphasizing the generosity of God — his desire to give abundantly to his children. If I’m honest, these are the things I’m too busy to notice. I’m too absorbed in my phone, too busy with my to-do list, my work. Too preoccupied to see God working right in front of me. 

So how do I change that? What’s the secret to noticing the kindness of God each day?

A New Way Of Seeing

Jesus gives us the answer in the same breath as the promise: if your children ask. The key is in the asking. We have to come before our generous Heavenly Father and make the request. It is an intentional choice to rest in the provision of the God who loves to give good gifts. Prayer focuses my mind on God instead of my need. It reminds me that I am helpless without his intervention. Prayer doesn’t change God’s mind. It changes me. Aligns my heart with his. Makes me want the things he wants. 

This isn’t just an ordinary seeking. It’s the kind of prayer that I breathe in and out all through the day (and night). Reminding myself that I’m not alone. That God’s got this and I don’t have to hold on to it anymore. It’s a prayer of surrender. Of letting go. It’s a prayer of trust. 

 And when the answers come — even to the prayers I didn’t speak out loud — I’m not just grateful. I’m expectant. 

What small gift from God have you almost walked past? Leave a comment — your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.