That doesn't sound quite right, does it? Notice that's one word, not two. This is a visual reminder from my scrapbook of how God delights to answer prayer.
We were on furlough in Ohio, 2003. By fall, I was feeling very frustrated with the way our family was being pulled in nine different directions. The boys were taking classes at the junior college, Jim was traveling back and forth to Mexico and other places, Debbie was in speech therapy twice a week, and the middle kids were involved with fun but separate church functions. Often they were sitting at home, terribly bored and homesick. It seemed we would never have time to relax and enjoy family time like we did back home in Oaxaca.
One of my journal entries listed a very specific prayer request for a weekend getaway, just for the nine of us, all alone. I even specified that it needed to be free, since finances were limited at the time, and that we had to be able to drive there. I purposely kept this a secret prayer, not even telling Jim, so there would be no doubt when God answered it.
Right after that, Jim and I had double-booked an evening of speaking engagements. Jim was at one church, and I took the children and went to Bethel Temple (yes, that Bethel Temple) to give a brief howdy-do at their fall missions conference.
Just before we left to go home that night, a woman came up to me and said she was so glad to see me, because God had laid it on her heart to offer us a weekend away as a family! She had a lovely chalet up in Ellicottville, New York, and it was available for only one weekend, just before ski season. Wouldn't you know it, that was the one and only weekend we had free on our calendar!
Makes you wonder what surprises God has in store for you, doesn't it? If only you'll ask....
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 New American Standard Bible (©1995)
3 comments:
such a good post, and a timely reminder that God usually doesn't answer the prayers we don't pray...so neat to read how He provided that for you guys!
That Gerda is an awesome lady! She knows how to listen to God. Our family had the opportunity to stay in this chalet too! Blessings to all of you. Sincerely Audrey Seaman..former Bethel Temple member, now go to Grace (Holly Link's Mom)
Thanks, Heather. Your comment inspired my circus post about the time God answered even when I didn't pray.
Audrey, nice to see you over here. Yes, Gerda is amazing. I thought some of our BT friends would appreciate these stories. We'll probably see you at Grace later this year! Bless you.
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