Author: pleadinginprayer

In light of my enjoyment of telling stories and my favorite Sherlock Holmes saying (“To the great mind, nothing is little.”), I want to tell a couple of stories of gifts that I was given.  According to James 1:17, God gives all good gifts.  Sometimes God uses His people to deliver those gifts.

One cold January Sunday evening I spent time at a friend’s house.  Her husband had to stay late after church at church for a deacons meeting, so we sat and talked about the life issues that we were facing.  It was late when her husband came home.  It was time for me to head home myself so I got up to get my keys.  My friend volunteered her husband to go start my car for me (it was a typical cold Minnesota evening).  I was all for it!  This is where the gift comes in – and when I tell this story in person I get excited and my face lights up.  My friend’s husband went outside and not only started my car, but also scraped the windshield and pulled the car in the driveway.  Did I mention that it was a cold Minnesota January night? It was very cold. I don’t like the cold.  So it meant a lot to me that he went the extra steps.  I don’t know if he remembers this at all – he doesn’t need to.  I remember this gift and smile.

Story #2.  We get a lot of snow in Minnesnowta.  Uh, I mean Minnesota.  One Wednesday evening after work I couldn’t pull in my driveway since the plows had gone by.  The snow pack was too high.  So I left my car in the street and went inside.  I called a friend to let her know that I might be late for children’s ministry that evening.  I had no idea how long it would take to clear the chunks at the end of the driveway, but I went outside to work as quickly as I could.  About half way into the job I started getting tired, but I knew I had to keep working.  Then out of the corner of my eye I see a red pickup truck pulling up.  I thought, “Please let this be the church member who lives nearby.”  Sure enough.  On his way home from basketball practice this coach saw me struggling.  He got home and told his wife that he had to go help me, so he loaded his snowblower in the truck and came over.  I was so relieved.  He finished the job and even “widened” the driveway by clearing more snow than I would have.

The first story took place over 10 years ago, but I still remember it well.  The other story was probably only a couple of years later.  Oh friends, if you have the chance to do something – anything for a friend, do it.  It doesn’t always take something big, in fact, some of my favorite stories are “little things”.  But as Sherlock Holmes said, those little things aren’t really little.  They mean so much.  You could make someone’s day – or even decade.

I posted last week about how God was asking me to wait regarding my job.  My heart was a bit heavy – I had hopes that I would be given a job offer, but those hopes seemed dashed.  Today God gave a boost to my weak faith.  15 minutes before the end of my work day, my boss called me into his office.  I thought, “Oh great, I’m done.”  I prayed, reminding myself that God is in control.  We sat down and my boss handed me a job offer.  A very good job offer.  It was what I had hoped for in several areas and exceeded my expectations in one.

I am enjoying this answer to prayer, but one more huge blessing comes out of this.  I had shared with many my hope to get hired by this company.  I had shared my waiting lesson.  Now my friends and family get to rejoice with me in this news.  I have made several phone calls, sent text messages and posted on Facebook.  This praise is giving great pleasure to many.

God gives good gifts!  I technically unwrapped this present, but all of us get to partake in the excitement.

I was given great power tonight.  I had two special friends listen.  They just listened as I talked about the life struggles I’m currently facing (mostly relating to my job).  They listened, sympathized, and didn’t really give much advice.  My friends gave me the chance to simply unburden my heart to them.

Mind you, neither one of my listening friends has a peachy keen life.  They have plenty of burdens of their own, and shared some of them with me.  However, they care so much about me that they took the time to listen.  To me.  The strength listening brings is phenomenal.

I pray you have a listening friend.  If a person is not readily available, God is an awesome listener (I have many times talked to Him when friends have not been available).  One of the things you can ask God is to give a friend to listen.  God wants to give good gifts (James 1:17).

My favorite mountain in Alaska (and therefore anywhere) is Susitna (Sleeping Lady).  You can see her from almost anywhere in Anchorage.  On my last trip there I thought a lot about Psalm 3 and 4, both have verses about sleeping in safety.

This photo is courtesy of either my brother or sister-in-law who live in Alaska. (I added the words below).  This picture was taken at sunset  in June of 2005.