Are You There, God? It's me, Tiffany

I think I've already mentioned that I am in a small "bible study" group with the neatest group of moms. We are reading a book, "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World." The chapter that we recently discussed reminded me of a discussion that M and I had long ago. About ten years ago, before M and I had children, we were walking the dog one afternoon. It was a beautiful spring day and Belle, our lab, was so happy that we were taking her on a walk. M said, "I wish we had a tennis ball to throw to Belle." Then I looked up and said, "God, it sure would be nice if we had a tennis ball." We took about ten more steps and guess what... a tennis ball was just lying there in the grass. I said, "Thanks, God!" M said, "Oh yeah - God took a break from world poverty to get you a tennis ball." I said, "Yes he did!" M likes to point out that we were right behind the tennis courts and that's why there was a ball sitting there. I like to believe that God answered my prayer.

Sometimes I feel selfish asking God to "please help me find my keys" or "please drop me a tennis ball" or "Please let me make it to the gas station before my car goes dead." But it's been pointed out to me over the years that God wants that relationship with us. He wants us to come to Him with the small stuff, just like we want our own children to come to us with the big stuff and the small stuff. It's about the relationship. We don't want our own children to be too afraid to come to us with their small, everday concerns. We want them to know that we love them and we want to know what is on their hearts, big or small. And that's how God views us, as well. He wants us to come to HIm, to share our hearts, our concerns about the car running out of gas or how the world as we know it will come to an end if we can't find out keys to make it to our hair appointment. He wants to know our hearts.


So today, as I prayed that the chicken would thaw quickly so that I could get it in the oven before my family melted down, I was reminded that I don't have to be embarrassed or ashamed to ask for a little help with the chicken thawing. I might even go so far as to ask the Lord if He might arrange so that my friend could win the lottery!


Thanking God for always being there!


(On a different note, but along the same lines. My dad teased my mom, "No wonder God never answers my prayers. He's too busy looking for your keys!" Ha! )