The Wisdom To Ask For Wisdom

While I love the Gospel passage for today about the pearl of great price, the reading that God used to really speak to me was the first reading from the Book of Kings. It also seems that God is asking me to write on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever I sit down to write lately, so I will continue that theme again this week.
In the passage we read today from 1Kings (or 3Kings if you are using a Douay Rheims translation) what struck me most was that in Solomon's dream, God tells him to ask for something. Because Solomon was humble he asks for wisdom and a wise and understanding heart in ruling his people. Now I have to admit, that when I read this passage on my own after Mass, I did a little Scripture cheating and read  verse 6 which was left out of today's reading at Mass and I also went a little beyond where the Mass reading stopped, but I am glad I did, because it was in this extra reading where I really saw Solomon's humility as well as God's limitless generosity.
Solomon knew that he was given a gift and privilege in following in his father, David's footsteps as king. I think he also felt like he was in a little over his head. Knowing this and acknowledging that he needed God's help, he asked God for wisdom. We see that God is very pleased with what Solomon asks for and because He is so very pleased with not only the request, but I also believe Solomon's humility, God showers him with riches and a long life on top of the great gift of wisdom.
 I think in this passage God wants to remind us that we do need to ask Him for what we need, but we need to do so as Solomon did with a humble heart. Wisdom is a gift of the Holy Spirit. I think God is very pleased with us when we ask Him through His Holy Spirit to enliven these spiritual gifts within us. I also believe that when we pray with humility and allow God to do as He wills, we find that he lavishes us with more than we may have even asked for. I have experienced this in my own life. Either God gives what I ask for or sometimes he takes care of something that has been weighing on me before I even take it to prayer, and sometimes when I think He has said "No" to me, when I step back a bit I find that He did answer the prayer, but had something better in mind for me than what I had asked.
In our world today so many are searching for something. In reality they are actually searching for Someone. With humility and wisdom they will see He is there right in front of them, Jesus, the Pearl and great Treasure who paid the great price with His life and Precious Blood for love of each one of us.

Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come before You know with all humility. Grant me the grace and gift of wisdom in discerning Your will in my life. May I use this gift in my dealings and prayer with You and in my dealings with others.
May this gift enable me to see Your abundant generosity and love for me in all Your gifts, but especially in the gift of Your Beloved Son, Jesus as He gives Himself to me in the Holy Eucharist.
I pray this in Jesus' name.
Amen.