It’s Yellow Ball Monday, and Heidi has the ball…
When I was in high school, I was convinced I’d marry a certain brown haired, attractively rebellious guy. I prayed and prayed that he would want me as his girlfriend, but God said, “No”. Instead God blessed me with a God-fearing, fiercely determined redhead; a faithful husband and father. Do you know how many times I have praised the Lord for not fulfilling my teenage dream? Too many to count.
In our most recent house hunting adventure, I begged God to allow us to purchase a certain brick house with an adorable red chicken coop in the backyard, but God said, “No”. Instead, He gave us a house that, at first, I could only see for its faults: the cracks on the ceiling, the outdated wallpaper, the ugly blue carpet. Do you know how many times I have raised my hands to the Lord for putting us in this house with the kitchen window that overlooks the beautiful woods where my children can freely roam? Too many to count.
When my husband was running for state representative, we prayed and prayed that the Lord would allow him to win a certain primary election. We pleaded with the Lord, telling Him what a light Nate could be as he served God in office. Again, God said, “No”. Instead, He allowed Nate to start an engineering company with a co-worker (a goal fulfilled) and run for County Commissioner (a foot in local politics). Do you know how many times I’ve thanked the Lord for keeping Nate close to home instead of an hour away at our state’s capital? Too many to count.
Currently, among other things, we are praying for another baby and more clients for Nate’s business and a win in the upcoming election. We plead with Him, telling Him all the reasons that an affirmative answer to our prayers will bring honor and glory to His name. However, I am comforted as I look back and see God answering our prayers according to His will, not our own.
We trust that the Lord will give us the faith to pray in the same spirit that Jesus prayed, “…yet not what I will, but what you will,” (Mark 14:36) because we know that “As for God, His way is perfect” (2 Samuel 22:31).
Do you know how many times in my life I’ll give glory to God for His perfect answers to my prayers? Lord willing, it will be too many to count.
I’ve gotten to know Heidi and her sweet family at church, and I’m very excited about her writing ministry. Here’s a little more about her:
Heidi is wife to a super kind, energetic, detailed engineer husband. She’s also a stay-at-home-homeschooling mom to their four children ages (almost) 2 to (almost) 8. She takes pleasure in consuming unwholesomely sweet coffee and delights in creating crafty house projects. She is horrible at raising chickens and does not enjoy running at all. You can find her taking pictures with her not-so-great camera, writing about day to day life in her home, and remembering the goodness of God in her small corner of bloggity land at www.dearlylovedmist.blogspot.com.
If you’re interested in submitting a ‘Yellow Ball’ story, check out the details here.
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Great reminder to seek His will and not our own. So proud to have you for my sister!
Thank you so much Heidi~ I needed to read this. I also have many times I look back & are thankful for God's timing & His Will being perfect & yet I get so frustrated sometimes that my prayers aren't being answered RIGHT NOW how I want them to be. Oh my I have so much growing to do. I'm so glad God is patient with me.
Thank you for this wonderful post!
Blessings
Renata:)