Answered Prayers

A coworker asked me to pray for her the other day and added that God answers my prayers. This caused me to pause briefly. What does she mean? What does that mean? I was truly taken off guard. The sentence rattled in my head the rest of the day and even the next morning. I woke up, read my daily devotional and boom there it was, "God answers your prayers". What does that mean? I couldn't wrap my head around it. Why couldn't I wrap my head around it? Honestly, because I felt it wasn't true. I automatically began thinking to myself that she must see something that I don't see in order to derive that God answers my prayers. Do she see me as blessed or privileged. If so, she obviously isn't paying close attention because my life is always hectic or always troubled by something. If I were to do a quick synopsis of my life right now it would go like this...

 my father, a hemophiliac, is having surgery on his knee soon, my mother has some underlying issue going on with her-most likely stress induced-that the doctors haven't found, my mother-in-law keeps having little health scares that thankfully have been minor, my brother is in jail, my job hasn't decided what direction to take with my position, my husband's car is on the fritz, the oven, washing machine, and air conditioning all stopped working at the same time, my bank account is dismal, I don't know how we are going to expense the much needed trip to Colombia and still stay above water, we need to put the Cub in childcare soon if we want to have a second child because that is way too much to put on the mother-in-law, I keep gaining weight and the scale frightens the daylights out of me, I need to replace my sofa but the bank account is still dismal, I can't sell my house without owing the bank my first born, and I'm in need of a pedicure.

OK I threw that last part in there because it was getting too heavy. Now this is just the surface stuff that I can share. The more personal stuff that involves other people I won't share-not because I am ashamed, my life is an open book, but I must respect the privacy of others. All that being said, what does she mean?

I had an epiphany a few months back that I never shared in which I realized that God has done so much in my life. The problem is I couldn't see it because of all the other stuff that was still unanswered or unresolved in my life. Sure I gave thanks for each hurdle or obstacle I'd overcome, but like any runner in the race I didn't pause because up ahead was the next hurdle. No runner stops in the middle of the race and celebrate jumping the first hurdle. No. You celebrate once you cross the finish line. I haven't crossed the finish line. Well...so I thought or felt. Then she made that statement and I stopped. Apparently, I had crossed the finish line and several at that. She had witnessed my triumphs, mainly because I share everything. I share my life because I always think to myself that others could be where I am or where I was and it is my moral duty to impart the wisdom and lessons learned to others. It may not always apply to that person's life but it gives perspective and insight. Isn't this why we have adversity and trials in life? So we grow and help others to grow. So we learn to lean on and trust in God. I'm still learning to lean and trust.  

My last thought on answered prayers. I gave my rant of the challenging things happening in my life right now. I've prayed feverishly for resolutions to these items. A friend shared a devotional with me that again floored me and changed my perspective. I've always felt like a lot of people lean on me or look to me for answers. I often feel burdened and tugged on but I do my best to be there for people. Lately, I began praying that these burdens be removed from me. After all do you see my list. I have stuff too. Well this devotional spoke to Jesus and how along his travels people would stop him and rely on him for encouragement, healing, etc. It spoke to the fact that the disciples leaned on him. All in addition to the task that God had for him. It then spoke to the fact that Jesus never complained and always made a point to be there for every one that sought him out. The scripture focus was Psalm 41:1.

"Blessed is he who considers the weak and the poor, the Lord will deliver him in the time of evil and trouble".

That day my prayer changed. It became clear to me that I didn't need to pray for my burdens to be removed; instead I needed to pray for strength to handle all that God had laid before me and to understand how God would like to use me in the lives of others. Talk about answered prayers. I still have my moments where say when is enough enough or hey this plate is getting a little full. But in the end I now know that people are watching and seeing the God in me and how is moving in my life. I'm working everyday to be a good reflection of Him. Key word...WORKING.