It was about 15 years ago. Nighttime, pouring rain. I had a meeting I couldn't get out of, at a restaurant on a busy street in a college town. There was *no* way I was going to find a parking spot.
So I just went for it: "God, I know you're busy. I know there are so many people right now who need you more than I do, SO much more important stuff to care about. But I'm going to ask anyway. Please find me a spot."
And right in front of me a car pulled out, and I took its space. 5 steps from the restaurant door.
It's been a long time since then. There have been plenty of times God did not show up right away. Many parking spots that did not materialize.
I know it's not magic. God isn't Santa Claus.
And yet - that one night 15 years ago still burns so strong in my memory. I *know* God is there, answering our prayers.
I’ve been the eavesdropper, the one offered prayer, the one then listening in on someone talking to God about me while I’m feeling completely left out of the conversation. I’ve also been the one who has felt nurtured and comforted and cared for as someone prayed over me, calling on God on my behalf.
I’m clueless why one in one instance I’d feel so excluded and the other would be utterly inclusive.
Yes, I can resonate so much with that cluelessness, Tim. Renita Weems' book, Listening to God, has been such a help to me in that way. She's so brutally honest about these times, which can be lengthy.
Sometimes things just feel too heavy to pray through. This is where I am and the only thing I feel capable of doing right now is relying on the prayers of others on my behalf. This itself is beautiful.
I'm sorry, I know that feeling. That's why I love the one about the buddies tearing up the roof and lowering their friend down to Jesus. He tells them that is is because of their faith, he is forgiven and healed. Imagine that, the faith of our friends is a powerful thing!
What about when He reminds us to pray for someone specifically....it's the week of my s-i-l O, and daughter's S's wedding anniversary and I am suddenly following a car whose licence plate reads
It was about 15 years ago. Nighttime, pouring rain. I had a meeting I couldn't get out of, at a restaurant on a busy street in a college town. There was *no* way I was going to find a parking spot.
So I just went for it: "God, I know you're busy. I know there are so many people right now who need you more than I do, SO much more important stuff to care about. But I'm going to ask anyway. Please find me a spot."
And right in front of me a car pulled out, and I took its space. 5 steps from the restaurant door.
It's been a long time since then. There have been plenty of times God did not show up right away. Many parking spots that did not materialize.
I know it's not magic. God isn't Santa Claus.
And yet - that one night 15 years ago still burns so strong in my memory. I *know* God is there, answering our prayers.
Thank you for sharing this.
I’ve been the eavesdropper, the one offered prayer, the one then listening in on someone talking to God about me while I’m feeling completely left out of the conversation. I’ve also been the one who has felt nurtured and comforted and cared for as someone prayed over me, calling on God on my behalf.
I’m clueless why one in one instance I’d feel so excluded and the other would be utterly inclusive.
Yes, I can resonate so much with that cluelessness, Tim. Renita Weems' book, Listening to God, has been such a help to me in that way. She's so brutally honest about these times, which can be lengthy.
Sometimes things just feel too heavy to pray through. This is where I am and the only thing I feel capable of doing right now is relying on the prayers of others on my behalf. This itself is beautiful.
I'm sorry, I know that feeling. That's why I love the one about the buddies tearing up the roof and lowering their friend down to Jesus. He tells them that is is because of their faith, he is forgiven and healed. Imagine that, the faith of our friends is a powerful thing!
What about when He reminds us to pray for someone specifically....it's the week of my s-i-l O, and daughter's S's wedding anniversary and I am suddenly following a car whose licence plate reads
O+S- 4EVER. I prayed
That's some serious synchronicity! Love it!
This is a wonderful word of hope and encouragement. Thank you.
So encouraging - thank you 😊
Thank you so much for writing this.