It amazes me at how easy it is to not see Gods answer to our prayers. We can pray and pray and pray for something and then start praying God, why aren’t you answering me. Only because Adam has started telling the corny preacher jokes on Sunday mornings I’m going to tell an old one now that probably everyone has heard.

It’s about a guy who had a lot of faith in God. Everything he did was done in complete faith that God was going to take care of him. When one week there was a horrible storm that came through. After each day, the water would continue to rise higher and higher. People knew that if it didn’t stop raining that there was going to be some serious issues. Since it showed no sign of letting up some people started leaving town while they still could. But this guy stuck around saying God is going to take care of me, he always does. If He wants me out, He’ll let me know. Mid-way through the week, it was getting so bad that he could no longer stay in the first floor of his home, so he had to stay on the second floor. During this, a man came by in a boat and saw him through the window and told him to get in the boat so they could go to safety. The man living by faith said no, God is going to provide what I need to get out. The man in the boat, looking very confused, said ok and went on his way. A couple of days later he could no longer say in his house. He had to go to the roof to stay out of the water. Another boat came by and told him to get in so they could go to safety, but his refused again and said, I’m continuing to pray that if God wants me out of here He’ll provide a way. So the boat left, and as it was leaving the man started questioning God. Asking, what’s going on God I’m living by faith, I know that you’ll provide a way out for me, I just don’t understand. Then after realizing that he was questioning God, he stopped immediately and apologized. But the rain never let up it was to the point where the water was up to his neck and he had nowhere else to go. About this time a rescue helicopter came by and threw down a rope, but the man realizing he already doubted God once didn’t want to do it again, turned down the rescue squad. Unfortunately, the man died. But in Heaven he asked God I don’t understand God, I’ve lived faithful to you and every day of my life walked by complete faith, why did you let me drown? God told him, look don’t put that off on me, I gave you a week to leave town, then I sent you 2 boats and a helicopter what else do you want?

Ok haha chuckle chuckle, cheesy joke for the day is done now. But I look at this, and to a point, it happens every day on a much smaller scale. What is it exactly that we’re looking for? God is constantly speaking to us and guiding us. When are we going to learn to hush for a while and listen to His responses? I am totally guilty of this, probably more often than others, but here recently I have been seeking Gods guidance and direction in a certain area of my life and found myself getting frustrated because I felt like He wasn’t answering me. But through a couple of AMAZING meetings that I’ve had this week, it’s like….Ooooohhhhhh ok, DUH!?! So that’s why that happened, or that’s why I went through that. So you really were trying to answer but I was talking too much to be able to see your answer. Whoops??!!?

I’ve come to realize a couple of things.

1. If I’m going to ask a question, listen for the answer.
2. I also need to pray for discernment between my selfish desires and the desires that God has given me.
3. Don’t be surprised if I’m not answered right away, sometimes I’m not ready yet. Let God prepare me.