If you’ve ever been to a piano recital for children, you know how exciting it is to see them exhibit their accomplishments. If they’re your children or grandchildren, they’re always the best no matter how they play. Their notes may be off key and their timing wrong, but you’ve watched them practice for hours and know how hard they’ve worked in spite of their imperfections. You know their hearts and how hard they’ve tried, so their best is all you expect. Because you love them and believe in them, you know that in time they’ll get better and become more proficient. Their performance doesn’t make you love them more or less, but it only serves to help you encourage them more.

Matthew 7:11 says it quite well: “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” If we as fallen, sinful, flawed human beings can give such undeserved grace and mercy to our children, how much more will our heavenly Father give to us if we ask? He sees your heart and knows your struggle, so let Him perfect you. Just ask.