MOTHER, MAY I?
As young children, we occasionally played a game that centered
around a rather genteel question: “MOTHER, MAY I?” In hindsight, I suppose that this game was
invented by a skillful and creative parent who sought to teach her children two
important life skills: 1) being polite, and 2) observing boundaries.
Here’s how the game is played.
One child (regardless of gender) volunteers to serve as ‘MOTHER’ and the
others position themselves in a horizontal line, about 20 feet (6 meters) from
the game leader. The MOTHER then chooses
one of her playmates and says something like this: “Tony, you may take three
giant-steps forward.” Before doing so,
the child-player MUST respond, “MOTHER, MAY I?”
The MOTHER tries to make the game more interesting by varying both
the NUMBER and KIND of steps that might be taken, e.g. “Wesley, you may take
two scissors-steps,” (or) “Doris, you may take four baby-steps” (or) “Lois, you
may take three kangaroo-steps.” Indeed, there seems to be an unlimited variety
of forward movements one might be called upon to take, e.g. twirly-steps,
turtle-steps, umbrella-steps, jumping jack-steps, even side-steps.
While this game might sound somewhat simplistic, it had rather
intriguing possibilities. Of course, the
child who successfully reaches and touches MOTHER wins and is given the opportunity
to serve as leader in the next round. But
here’s what makes the game truly interesting. In the excitement of the moment, the playing children
sometimes forget to respond by asking “MOTHER, MAY I?” This oversight causes them to be sent all the
way back to the starting point. For
example, a child could be just about in position to reach out and touch MOTHER
and win, but the thrill of that moment occasionally generates a memory lapse,
which results in starting all over from square one.
This game is not only fun, it is loaded with spiritual significance.
Because as believers in the Kingdom of
God, our success is intrinsically tied to our willingness and consistency in
ASKING (not necessarily the Mother), but THE FATHER, for purity, purpose,
permission and power. Only under the constant
direction and wise governance of THE FATHER may we successfully “live and move
and have our being.” (Acts 17:28) It’s a challenging lesson to learn for those
of us who consider ourselves ‘independent thinkers.’
Here’s our practical dilemma. In life’s various and sundry moments of
excitement, we sometimes forget or simply fail to ask, “FATHER, MAY I?” As a result, we suffer tremendous delays or
reversals. Sometimes, it ‘feels’ like we
are pushed way back at the beginning, to start our journey all over again. But GOD is in the midst of it all. (Romans
8:28)
The Apostle James provides important insight. He writes, “You HAVE NOT because you ASK
NOT.” (James 4:2) James was not referring to asking
for THINGS, as many might imagine, but he was referring to seeking the
perfect will of God. James was advising us to proactively receive
GOD’S INTENTIONAL DESIGN FOR LIFE FULFILLMENT, which can only be derived from
seeking HIM, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS and HIS KINGDOM. (Psalm 27:8 – Philippians 3:10
– Matthew 6:33)
My friends, before you make your next move, ask HIM for wisdom,
direction and timing. “FATHER, MAY I?” Winner-believers, our Father will surely make
life more interesting by varying both the NUMBER and KIND of steps we may take. And, if we approach Him with heart-sincerity,
i.e. a genuine desire to apprehend and actualize His perfect will, sooner or
later (invariably and inevitably) we will be in such close proximity that we
may easily REACH out and TOUCH Him.
