The King and I

Growing Daily

There’s an old story about golfing legend Arnold Palmer and a Saudi king. I was disappointed to learn recently that it isn’t true—but it captures a truth so meaningful that it’s worth retelling:

The story goes that Palmer spent several days teaching the king of Saudi Arabia to play golf, while the king wined and dined him. At the end of the lessons, the king wanted to give Palmer a gift and asked what he would like. Hesitant to ask for anything after such royal treatment—but not wanting to offend—Palmer finally said, “I suppose a golf club would be a nice memento.” Several weeks later, he didn’t receive a golf club—he received a golf CLUB: the deed to a 500-acre, 18-hole course.

Kings think on an entirely different scale.

The spiritual parallel is hard to miss. God is able “to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). He tells us to approach His throne boldly (Hebrews 4:16). He even directly warns that sometimes when we don’t have, it’s because we didn’t ask (James 4:2).

And yet I keep coming to Him with small, careful prayers—asking for just enough strength, just enough help. What does that say about my level of trust?

What might change today if I took Him at His word and asked Him to open the windows of heaven? (Malachi 3:10).

- Catherine Reid