Answers

Isaiah 55: 8-9  My plans aren’t your plans, nor are your ways my ways says the Lord.  Just as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my plans than your plans.

I will be one of the first to say that we must rely on God for all things, yet there are situations that we can’t control without a thought of, or prayer to, God.  Now if you’re able to say that’s not you, there’s 1 of 2 things going on – either your faith and reliance on our maker is absolute and should be an example to friends and family, or you are lying to yourself and those around you.

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve felt like I must make a decision now or face grave consequences for myself or for others.  In fact, I pride myself on my ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently.  So when I was faced with a grave medical issue for one of my very close family members, it was difficult.  I’m very proud to say that I prayed as much during that time as I have at any other time in my life.  My prayers were for her and my family, but focused mainly on her.  I asked God to heal her, knowing that He has that power.  I wanted her out of the hospital and back the way she was just a few days before celebrating Christmas.

During the time I was praying, I also thought about things quite a bit and I began to feel selfish.  I was asking for her to return to a life that found her struggling both physically and mentally because of other health issues.  I just didn’t want to face walking in for a visit and not  finding her in her chair with a smile on her face.

As I struggle with this situation, I read or heard something (I’m not sure which) and  began to realize that my prayer would only be selfish if I held on to the concept of earthly recovery and tried to confine God with the humanistic definition of healing.  This has had me contemplating not just this situation, but the overall idea of prayer and the very narrow view we have during our conversations with Him.

We think of our immediate needs, what we can see, what we think we need and want, and focus so intently on that “brass ring” that we fail to see there are alternatives to the situation – some of which we’d never come up with.  We try to squeeze God into a tiny chute directing Him toward the solution we’ve determined best for the situation – forgetting that He is all powerful, the creator of everything, and His power is limitless.

As we kneel, bow our head and/or clasp our hands in prayer, let us remember His immense power, His loving nature and the gift of grace granted us all.  “Father, I know what I’m asking but I don’t know what Your answer will be, give me the eyes to see it, the ears to hear it and the heart and wisdom to accept it. Amen”