Ask

Most children ask for what they need and then some.  It has been interesting to me, as I have worked with a couple of my kids, to learn that some children need to be taught to ask.  It is not in their nature to ask for help.  It is not a given that they look inside themselves when they are uncomfortable and find out what they need, and then turn around and seek for someone that can provide for their need.  I remember one day when we were on vacation in Utah touring the Conference Center Isaac was very upset.  Crying, throwing himself on the floor, miserable.  When we finally stopped for lunch, Isaac ordered juice and water with his lunch.  As soon as it arrived he grabbed both drinks, stuffed the two straws in his mouth and drained the cups in record time.  The reason for the mornings suffering became clear.  He had been thirsty.  He never asked for a drink.  In fact, when the other kids stopped at water fountains, he cried and refused the water, perhaps it was simply because he wasn't used to water fountains.  Who knows, but my point is this:  Judging from some of the things the scriptures say, I think at times Heavenly Father sees us, His children, doing this same thing.  I think he sometimes marvels at our unwillingness to ask.  In 3 Nephi 16:4 Jesus says:

"...my people at Jerusalem, they who have seen me and been with me in my ministry, do not ask the Father in my name, that they may receive a knowledge of you by the Holy Ghost..."

The people at Jerusalem were told that Jesus had other sheep, but they didn't think to ask for understanding, or clarification of his words.  I believe it says they assumed Jesus meant the Gentiles.  I'm sure there are many instances in my own life when Heavenly Father was just waiting for me to ask so he could help me to understand.

Matthew 7:7-8 says:

"Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; For every one  that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

We have to be taught to ask.  It goes along with learning faith.  We ask.  We receive.  We learn to trust Heavenly Father.  But if we never ask...we will continue to thirst.