I’ve learned a bunch about asking over the last week (years).

Asking others for something can be really difficult for those of us who come from immigrant families. (My grandparents on my mom’s side came to the US during WWII – fleeing the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.)

We are scrappy, make our own way and our grandparents and parents know how to make something out of basically nothing.

So, we tend not to ask when we find ourselves in need.

Asking can be really difficult for the hard working mid-westerner brain of mine as well.

“I can work harder. Sleep less. I can do this all on my own.” These words can be a constant reel of self-talk that rambles through my brain.

It doesn’t work.

Here is my conclusion: Asking is all about freedom.

Knowing that we are free to ask God for anything through prayer.

Free to know that we can ask others to join us, knowing that it may very well be good for their lives.

If our security is in God, we are free to ask for donations, for help, for people’s time and wisdom, and to ask others to invest what they have in the work of God and in our very lives.

We are free to receive the “yes” and free to gratefully respond to the “no” from any of our friends.

We are free to trust God who is guiding us.

This freedom leads to confidence in God, in our vision and in our invitation for others to join us in Kingdom building endeavors.

So – JUST ASK.

It’s my new mantra.

Kevin