Unanswered Prayers

The past couple of weeks have been quite long as well as quite educational. I have learned a lot about others, myself and God's grace and soverign plan.

There is a cheesy country song that has been going through my head every so often these past couple of weeks and it could more than apply to lessons learned. It talks about how at one point in the singer's life, he was on a certain path and thought that that was what was meant to be for his life. But , as often happens in life, time marches on and things change. This man encountered a part of his past that he thought would have been his future and began to reflect on what if's. The man was forced to look at his present life along side of his past life that he so desperately thought would have been his future. And what he discovered is that God knows what He is doing after all. That had God answered his prayers the way the man had prayed them, he would be somewhere quite different and it relieved him that God seemed to not answer the way he had hoped.

The reality is ... God did answer that prayer in the song and in my life.

There have been many times that God has chosen 'wait' or 'no' as an answer to my prayers. These answers are often hard to accept but are always the best. And some time down the road of time when I see where the road is going or could have gone, I remember to thank God for (seemingly)unanswered prayers. The goal is to thank God before we receive the answer which is my goal! I am not saying this is easy, because it's not but it is possible with prayer and patience!

I was faced with a part of my past that was attempting to reenter and threaten my present and my future this past week. It was very difficult to try and mesh the two together and quite confusing. But as God so often does, just when things seemed the foggiest, He brought people and parts of His word to my attention that helped clear the way.

I am amazed each day at God's soverignty when I look at my relationship with Paul and how perfect a choice he is for me. He is an even better answer to prayer than I ever could have hoped for! He is a better partner, love and best friend than I ever could have prayed for!

I used to listen to that song as one that was sad and heartbreaking. A collection of 'what if's' and regret. Now, when I hear that same song, I have new understanding as I too now thank God for unanswered prayers.

Option #3

Today was the second time that a friend reported that God came through on option 3. I have been developing this theory about God lately. With most things in life there are at least 2 options for every decision. I know for these two friends and in my own life, we have been in a rut, feeling the pressure to decide either or. But you see here's where my theory comes in! God comes through with option 3! The one option that you didn't expect. Didn't see. And that you never would have imagined.

I was in that situation with Paul. I was through. I gave up my dream of a family and ever finding anyone worth considering.My plan was to just settle in, buckle down and make this my life. To get a couple of cats and buy a condo like every other spinster. Then, what seemed to be out of nowhere, God steps in and presents option three which in the case of me and my two friends...was beyond our wildest dreams and imaginations.

So, the lesson that I have learned through all of this is to remember to look to God because often the reality is is that there is only one God choice and the other two are wants and desires which arent bad in and of themselves but may not be God's absolute best. I know for me that that is true in EVERY area of my life these days!