God Answers Prayer—Sometimes Rather Quickly

Yesterday I sent out a prayer e-mail and listed that I needed to sell my twin bed before I move. I have talked to many people, trying to find someone that needs a bed, but with no luck. As my final resort, I was going to mass e-mail at the office about it, and put an ad in the newspaper. But this morning I was at the office and mentioned it. My friend said she has a friend who is moving up to Redding this summer and might need a bed. She left and called her. And I sold my wonderful, comfortable bed today—that quickly and with no e-mails or ads—praise the Lord! I will have to find and buy another bed once I get to Montana (because the cost of transporting my bed is too much).

Now I could have just acknowledged my bed as another check off my to do list before I go. But I do recognize that God answered my prayer, provided for my need, and in His timing—not my own. This should be teaching me something about giving my burdens to God (again and again—I fail many times), as the message from Pastor Mark at youth group reflected on.

Maybe I should reflect again, and let this be my prayer as I end my day…

Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

~Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Or in my own, “Shannon’s Version”…

Jesus says, “Tell me everything, all of your problems and about your bad day, and I will help you. Put on the shoes I designed for you because they are made for the terrain of your life, and they will guide you where you are supposed to go. Take your lessons from me because I know all the in’s and out’s—I see the whole plan for your life, start to finish. I won’t pressure you because I really care about YOU, like a really good mom cares for her precious newborn baby. When you acknowledge that you can’t fix the ‘stuff’ in your life by yourself, let it go, and release it to me. You will feel a weight lift from the inside out because I will carry the weight. You can handle it with me by your side.”

(above thoughts influenced by God, Pastor Mark, and Pastor Mike, and me)