When I Asked God

It's a funny thing, this thing we call prayer. Have you ever had something in your life, pretty small, but big to you at that certain time. Like for instance, since I live in North Dakota I will use a couple of circumstances that I believe happens around here more often than not. First off, the one where your sitting in your car and your car is doing this sound, rrrrrRRRRrrrrRRRRRrrrr, when you turn the key, in the middle of winter, and nothing. Then out of nowhere you say, "Lord please start my car." And looky there the car starts, and you think nothing of it. Or take the second circumstance, your stuck going to Target, in the dead of winter, where the only place on this day you would like to be is on the couch underneath a blanket, reading a book and sipping hot chocolate. And you decided to shoot off a little prayer, "Lord please a close parking spot is all I ask," and out of nowhere the car in the front spot backs out. Unreal, huh!??! And don't tell me you haven't done it, I know we all do, and then just go about our days. Crazy how that works.
Well I am going to tell you a little story about something pretty close to one of those examples, that happened to me awhile ago. But unlike these examples this decision was one of the biggest I had made in my life up to that point. It was in between my freshman and sophomore year of school, and I was put in a spot where I needed to decided on whether or not I was going to give up basketball and participate in track fulltime. Well this was something that had taken it's toll on me and I had been pondering for some time now. I talked to everyone I knew about it and ask their opinions and what they would do. And no one could give me a for sure yes or no answer. So I was on my way home one night late, and as I pulled into my drive-way I said a short little prayer that went like this, "Lord if you want me to give up basketball, then let me see a shooting star," and well what do you think I saw when I got out of the car???? Well what, what do you think I saw!!!! I took a step out of the car, and slowly looked up, my eyes falling upon the stars, and...............nothing. Just shiny stars, that's all. Funny how we need signs, to know He's there. So I just smiled and walked inside telling myself what were you thinking. Now the next part of this story you can't tell anyone if you read this. So pinky swear right now!!! Well earlier that day I had been watching The Lion King and well I wasn't really tired, so I decided I might finish it before I went to bed. (Yes I was watching The Lion King, I admit it.) And what do you know, it was at the scene where Simba sees his dad in the sky and looky there, tons and tons and tons of falling stars. Imagine how my jaw dropped, and a single tear ran down my cheek. Amazing!!! Isn't it???? As simple as that.

Here's something I found in a book I thought was interesting it's called:

When I Asked God

I asked for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I had asked for,
But everything that I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself my prayers were answered;
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
-prayer of an unknown conferderate soldier

Funny the things we think we need. When in full all we need is the Lord.