I AM QUICK TO TELL others to communicate with the person who can do something about their upsets. I, however, talk to everyone but the Lord about mine.
I remember the morning I left my Bible study about prayer and thought the ladies were insane to pray for little things.
I figured they must not have big problems like mine.
My prayers called on Jesus for miracles, things I could not resolve myself. He’s busy running the world, and I thought he gave us a brain so we could do our part. I don’t know the quota on prayers, so I saved mine for giants and dragons.
The ladies in my Bible study challenged me to pray for all things. I got in my car with a list of errands and saw the check engine light. It had been on for a solid year and meant that some emissions work had to be done before I could get my car inspected. Okay, Lord, I said, Make that light go out so I can get my car inspected.
I must admit that I said it with a sarcastic tone and little faith that he had power over a light. On my car.
I stopped at the next intersection and noticed an inspection store across the street. I looked at my check engine light and before I could say, Didn’t think so, that light went out.
Now I know truth is stranger than fiction, but that’s what happened. I pulled into the store, got on the waiting list, and called a friend to explain why I would be late for lunch. Twenty minutes later, I had a new inspection sticker. Boy did I have a testimony to share!
After lunch, I ran the rest of my errands, and just before pulling into my garage, the light came back on. I sat in my car and cried. How did you do that, Lord?
For a solid year that light was a reminder to me that he is always with me. He knows my thoughts and he knows my lack of faith.
And he loves me anyway.
Every time I got into my car and saw that light on, I smiled and said hello to the Lord. It reminded me of his mysterious ways of demonstrating his power over the impossible.
When inspection time came again the next year, I was in the same boat. I did not want to spend the money my mechanic said would not be equitable for my old car, so I prayed again, this time with confidence. Lord, I know you can turn that light off if you want, and Monday is the deadline.
The week passed and the light was shining bright, even when I got home Monday night.
When I went out early the next morning and started my car, the light was out. Frantic, I left it running, ran in my room and dressed. Then I hustled over to the inspection store. “Sorry, lady,” the man said. “But our machine is broken and you’ll have to try another location today.” The church lady sped across town and an hour later, I had a new inspection sticker.
I’m not making this up.
I pulled out of the store and the light came back on. I cried again.
By the way, the inspection store was closed on Monday. It was a national holiday.
When the time is right, I the Lord, will make it happen. Isaiah 60:22
Believe it or not, this happened in the third year as well. This one lesson should have made me a person who learned to take all my upsets to the One who can do something about them.
Instead, I’m the church lady whom God has compelled to share what an idiot I am.
Ephesians 3:20, John 15:7, Matthew 7:7, 1 John 5:15, Luke 18:1-5
As always, it is my intent and hope that my words may encourage you wherever you are in your journey.
Please share your thoughts in the comments below or go to the group tab above to share your own experience. It only takes a minute of your time to register (and you can be anonymous), and your words may help others.
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.–Jesus (Mark 4:23)
Ha! That is funny! Love it! Pearl