God Listens

Tonight I was planning my lesson for Vacation Bible School. One of the parts of the lesson is God listens not only to your prayers but to your heart. Another part was that not only does God listen but he answers prayers. Sometimes He answers them in unexpected ways. What a lesson! I love it!

I can think of so many points in my life that God answered prayers in a way that I didn't even see coming. Some of those moments I didn't even know what I was praying for or that I was even praying. God just took a peak in my heart and soul and sent an answer or angel to help me out.

One example is 5 years ago when my heart was broken and my soul in pain. All I wanted was a to get pregnant. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, I knew was pregnant and I felt like God had completely blown off my desire to be a Mom. I had been trying since Rick and I got married the October before. I had tried everything, read everything and charted everything. My outcome was always the same - a negative on the pregnancy test. Here I was beginning and pleading with God for a baby and all I was getting was a big fat nothing. In July and August of 2006 some things happened which slowed me down and changed my attitude. I suppose I let go of my obsession to get pregnant and focused on other things. BINGO - Labor Day weekend of 2006 I found out I was pregnant.

The lessons I learned were to let go and let God. Plus that God answers my prayers in His own time and in His own way. If I had gotten pregnant any other time, in any other month - Maggie wouldn't be Maggie. That moment in time created my miracle with all her DNA, spunk and quirks. God always knows best and I always forget.

My 2nd experience is that 3 years ago I felt like my life was missing something. I had a wonderful husband and a beautiful daughter. All was great but somehow there was still this space in my soul. I prayed to God for direction. Did I need to get a job? Volunteer? What did I need to do? God answered my prayer with a positive pregnancy test. Eight months later Ricky made his grand debut and somehow that hole was filled. All that time I was waiting for this little bundle of energy and joy. We had decided not to have anymore kids and I fretted for a bit about the dynamics of it all. Once I held him in my arms I knew that this was meant to be. My family was complete and Ricks was the last piece of the puzzle.

Of course, so many times in the past year or so, God has answered my prayers. Primary Immune Deficiency can bring me to my knees fast. And there have been times I wondered if God was just busy because he wasn't moving fast enough on the answer. But in His time and way He has answered each prayer. Sometimes He answers them by sending an angel to help or support us through a hard time. Sometimes it is a diagnosis or test result. And sometimes it is just a moment of peace or joy. I can't tell you how many times I have felt overwhelmed, sad or frustrated only to be lifted out of it by one of my kids' laugh or smile.

God is always there watching over us. He is present in our lives in every moment. He hears each thought, prayer or concern. I have complete confidence that even when I don't know or understand, He will answer. I just have to have faith!