January 30

“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” the brothers answered. — Matt 20:22 BSB

Every true mother wants the best for her children. However, not all mothers seek what is truly best for them.

The mother of James and John had an earthly dream for her sons, wanting them to have high positions in Christ’s kingdom. Christian mothers should seek spiritual blessings for their children above all else.

Christ answers our mistaken prayers in ways that are far better than we could have imagined. He did give James and John high places, but not in the way their mother had envisioned. Often, we ask God to bless us, and He does, but sometimes His blessings come through the loss of things we thought we needed. James and John did not shrink from the “cup” they asked for, though they didn’t fully understand its cost at the time.