I am so pleased that we have a God that hears us. I am also pleased that we have a God that answers us. Many of us have no problem praying when we are in times of need, chaos or danger. How many of us have prayed something to the effect of, "If you will just get me through this, I will..."
I have learned over time that God, the Father, is not in the bartering business. He is going to see us through a plethora of things in our lifetime. Our lifestyle of prayer should be one that no matter what, we will serve him and communicate with him. I am convinced that He has heard every one of my prayers. I am also convinced that He has answered every single one of them. Many times I get an answer to a prayer that wasn't the one I wanted. And even ones that I didn't seem to get an answer to, is an answer in itself.
Sometimes answers come immediately, other times it may be years before the answer arrives. One such prayer for me was simply, "Lord, I miss my kids and their families. If it be your will, I would love it if they lived closer to us." That was several years ago. Last fall our youngest son and his family moved to the Springs. God even moved the Army to get him here!! Now, within the month, our daughter & her family are moving here! Her husband is being transferred to the Colorado district of the company that he works for. Some would say that both of these moves were going to happen anyway. But I know that God has answered the prayers of a Mother who spends time on her knees. Is it completely answered? No...our middle child and his family still live in Houston, with no evidence of a move to this region of the world. However, God knows their needs, wants and desires, too. Maybe someday, but for now, I trust that they are where they need and/or want to be. I do not feel that God as let me down in anyway. I enjoy the visits and phone calls that we do have. Learning to be content in the here and now, and trusting God with the future is all I have to do. The rest is His responsibility.
Prayer is having conversations with God. Prayer is not one sided, but rather an open dialog with the Almighty. Something that I cherish, no matter the outcome of those conversations!
