Daddy didn’t say no. What he said was, “Not right now.”

There’s a difference.

No means no. For years D asked a classroom filled with middle school students, “What part of no don’t you understand?”

Not right now means…Maybe later.  Maybe tomorrow. When you’ve finished your lessons. “Not right now.”

And now may the Lord bless you and may the Lord keep you, and may the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and may the Lord be gracious unto you and give you peace. May you know that, in Jesus’ blood, you’re protected from the powers and principalities of darkness, and that you can be a winner in life by walking with Christ. He will give you the desires of your heart, for nothing is impossible unto you because you are sons and daughters of the Most High God.  Receive that blessing, in Jesus’ name.

Sunday’s sermon spoke of Luke’s Gospel, chapters 11 and 18. “Ask…” And keep on asking. “Seek…” and keep on seeking. “Knock…” and  keep on knocking.  Always pray. Don’t lose heart. Be persistent! Be annoyingly persistent.  Don’t quit. Don’t give up. The friend in Jesus parable didn’t stop until he got what he needed.  The widow persisted until she wore the judge down and he gave her what she asked for.  The message: there is a power in staying focused; don’t get distracted on your way to completing what God has called you to accomplish. There is nothing half-hearted or lukewarm about persistence.

God always answers prayer. And while it is true that He sometimes  says no…sometimes His answer is simply, “not right now.”

Stop and ponder that for awhile.