I have been working on a project lately that has been testing my patience. When I discussed this with a friend, she said “Let’s take it to prayer and find out what God wants.” I wasn’t happy with her answer.
You see, I have been taking the same project to prayer on a regular basis. I am getting tired of waiting on God to come through and have this strong urge to take control by myself. But I cannot, because if what I am trying to accomplish with this project is to discern God’s will, how can I hold onto the wheel? I have to keep “letting go and letting God” lead me. It’s difficult and frustrating, but it is the right thing to do.
I read an interesting story this morning about a little boy who, two days before Christmas kneeled down to say his prayers before going to bed. His mother was just outside the little boy’s bedroom and heard her son pray, “Hi God, it’s me, Jimmy. My prayer tonight is that you will bring me a new bicycle for Christmas.” The mother was saddened because she knew that money was tight and that she couldn’t afford a new bike for her son.
On Christmas morning, after the few packages were open and feeling sorry that her son did not get a new bike like he wanted, the mother told her son, “Jimmy, I am so sorry that you didn’t get the bicycle you were wanting. I know you were praying for that special gift. I’m sorry God wasn’t able to answer your prayers this Christmas.” The little boy looked at his mother and said, with a smile on his face, “That’s OK, Mom. God DID answer my prayer; he said ‘no’.”
I love that story and want to live my life like that little boy – pray for what you want, and accept what God gives you. That doesn’t apply only to bicycles under Christmas trees. If I open my heart to God and listen to him in prayer, I will receive the answers I want, and the grace I need, to do whatever it is that God wants me to do.
Lord, grant me patience (but could you give it to me now?). 😉
Deacon Dan Donnelly 