I don't want blessings.

Hmmm, so at church yesterday we were singing a song that stated "We don't want blessings, we want You."

I got to thinking.

Who do you know that prays that?

Don't most of us bring our wish list when we pray? Even if it's not for material gifts, it's for 'help' for something. We ask for patience, strength, money, life, healing, wisdom, the list is endless. If we are at a 'good' place, we ask for all that for someone else who needs it.

Do we really want the Bless-er more than the blessing?

The Healer more than the healing?

The Deliverer more than to be delivered?

Do we really want the Provider more than the provision?

The Protector more than the protection?

The Giver more than the gifts?

Really?

I've been reflecting on it. My faith has become what it is in a huge part because of the blessings that I've received. Prayers answered in miraculous ways. God 'coming through' for me, or 'helping me' get through things. So a big part of our relationship is what He does for me, and what He gives me. It's two sided. I understand that He doesn't 'need' my help, but I love to serve Him in many ways as well.

Is that wrong? The Bible is full of promises to protect, provide, strengthen, encourage, etc. Am I remiss in asking for those things?

No.

But if that's all I want, I'm missing out.

For three years, my husband worked away. My children were able to talk to him daily, to be encouraged with his words. They were able to tell him about their troubles and their successes. They received packages filled with little gifts, just so they knew he was thinking of them and loved them. Their lives and activities, their food and home were paid for as he worked to support them from afar.

But it wasn't enough. Those things were all good, and life would have been unbearable without them, but what they really wanted, wasn't just words or gifts. They wanted HIM. His presence, his touch, his irreplaceable companionship. Just to have him there in person.

That's what I want with God.

That's what it means to want HIM more than the blessings. When we don't get any of the things on our prayerful wishlists, but we still have Him.

When His presence fills our hearts with contentment and joy, fulfillment; even without us asking, just because He's there.

There IS a difference. Let's not be satisfied with just His gifts, when there is so much more to be seeking.