The Desires of Thine Heart

"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." 

~Psalm 37:4

I headed to the pharmacy section of Walmart, discouraged with myself for failing to pack my contact lens solution before leaving home that day six hours ago. My husband, children, and I had arrived in the town we'd be spending two nights in and had to make this stop to accommodate my forgetfulness. I knew my desired contact lens solution brand and convenient travel size might not be sold at this store, so I said a quick prayer I might find what I needed quickly. My disappointment grew when I saw the prices were well over what I normally paid. I spotted the brand I regularly used: $7.48. Oh, no! I only pay in the $4 range. I sighed and scanned over the other products but saw nothing that satisfied my search. Resolving I would just have to spend the extra money, I picked up my preferred brand. At that moment, I saw a $3.00 off coupon attached to the top of the box. I blinked a few times and glanced at the other boxes on the shelf. None of the other boxes had this coupon! The Lord gave me my preferred brand at my preferred price. "Thank you, Lord! You sure take care of me."

I met one older missionary wife who spoke at a ladies lunch. She relayed to the group of gathered ladies a story from the early part of her families' ministry. She was traveling with her husband to a church with just enough money in their wallet to get them to their next destination. As they were driving, she had a sudden craving for a mocha and let her husband know her thoughts to have this delicious hot drink. "Well, you'd better ask the Lord to provide it, Dear," he responded and continued driving. So, she said a quick prayer, opened her eyes, and about that moment, suddenly yelled, "Stop the car!", to her bewildered husband. He slammed on the brakes and before he could figure out what she was up to, she hopped out, crossed in front of the car to the middle of the road, stooped down, and picked something up, smiling excitedly. She returned to spot in the car grinning widely and showed her husband a container of mocha drink mix- the kind you add a couple spoonfuls to hot water, stir, and enjoy. "Look at what the Lord gave me!", she exclaimed and removed the lid. They both could see the protective seal was missing from the can. "You're not going to drink any of that, are you?", her husband asked with a look of concern. She held the can still grinning, turned to look at him and said in her southern accent,  "It's okay, Honey, it's from the Lord!"

At the end of this tale, my face twisted with slight disgust, but I loved her story and her view on the Lord taking care of her that little way. 

My son, Micah, started deputation with one tie. He prayed for God to provide more. Through the giving of God's people, Micah now has somewhere around twenty. I have to try to remember to monitor his packing, or else in his excitement of having a big tie collection, he'll pack two pairs of pants or two shirts and fifteen ties!

So what is it about these "little things" that make us giggle with child-like glee and breathe a "Thank you, Lord!" In grateful praise?

It's no surprise to us that the Lord knows about our desires. He's God. God knows everything. What's so thrilling to us is that no matter how little these desires are, He cares about them because He cares about us. 

...and I think He enjoys seeing our smiles of excitement when we find a coupon on a box of contact solution or a can of mocha on the road ;)

An Expected End

My family and I were on our way home from church service the Wednesday night just before the New Year. As I was driving, I was very aware of the amount of deer along the sides of the road and expecting at any moment, one would jump out at me, so I stayed very alert. The CD player was playing a song about prayer from a gospel group we had met on deputation:

I can pray out loud or silently.

I can pray standing tall, or on my knees.

It really makes no difference, just that prayer is the key;

Because prayer changes things and it changes me. *

And on this particular night, we were especially glad for the prayers of God's people.

I was traveling along a state route and coming upon the intersection of a major highway. As I approached the intersection trying to continue north on my route, a car suddenly pulled in front of me to enter the ramp for the highway. I slammed on my brakes and swerved to avoid the other vehicle, but despite my best efforts, clipped the rear passenger side of it. 

The next hour was comprised of a 911 phone call, analyzing our health and then vehicles, and waiting for the police and then tow trucks. But during this whole process, God used us to be a light for Him. What could be seen as a horrible experience, God gave us comfort and the ability to comfort the teenaged girl from the other vehicle. We had Gospel tracts in the crumpled van and put them in the hands of those that would receive them. One particular bystander stuck around to see if we needed a ride home and I had a great opportunity to share the Gospel with her. She had come from a Catholic upbringing and was kicked out of the church because of a divorce. She then tried The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was currently searching for the next thing when she met me. She could hardly believe that salvation was by faith alone and not of works! She showed me her goose bumps as she believed it was really that simple to trust Christ alone for salvation! When she did get the girls and I home and Jason and Micah went home with the tow truck driver, I gave her a Bible and my contact information. She was from the same town we had gone to church that night and I told her about it, praying she will get involved there or another of like faith. 

Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." God knew there was a woman that needed to hear the Gospel who was searching and ready to hear the truth, and He arranged that appointment to give an expected end.

Thank you for all who pray for our safety while we travel. Prayer sure does work. 

* Prayer Changes Things by Living Proof:  http://livingproofmusicministry.com