bookshelves and prayer
today, again, God reminded me that He answers prayer.
my calendar on my iPod touch reminded me after work "get bookshelf".
for Christmas I had asked my parents for a bookshelf. I have two small bookshelves which were quite full before i started seminary, and now I'm purchasing about 15 books per quarter...needless to say, my shelves have quickly overflowed (even with just the first quarter's worth of books!).
when i went home for Christmas a quick glance under the tree told me there was no bookshelf under there. either that or it was there, but it would only hold 6 books--there were no large boxes of any shape under the tree. but i was glad when i opened a "coupon" that read "This coupon good for one sfine bookshelf. Merry Christmas!" (for those of you who might not speak "Fairfield", "sfine" can mean a wide variety of things from "fine" to "great" to "we want to get you a bookshelf, but we think it'd be great if you picked it out 'cause then you could get the one you like and then we'll just pay you back for it." ...it's a powerful word.)
so...today after work i set out with this coupon in hand, intending to redeem it. i wasn't sure where the best place to find a bookshelf would be, so i kept my eyes peeled on my way home. there was a mall-type place right off the freeway, so i decided to take that exit. though no store seemed to be a good store for bookshelves, i headed into Macy's. an employee was standing near the door as i walked in. i asked if they had any bookshelves. "No, we don't carry those." I was about to walk out. Then I asked "Do you know what store would sell them?" He mentioned a few places including a special Macy's Furniture in Novato. I decided to check it out. Being my typical self I didn't ask for directions, and having never been to Novato I had an adventuresome time finding the Macy's there. but i like driving adventures.
i walked in and was overwhelmed by the amount of furniture. the place almost seemed void of people (not surprising with the combo of the recession and being new year's day), but i was able to find a salesperson. he showed me a few bookshelves and one stood out to me. i really liked it. but the price...seemed a little too much for the "sfine" range. but i decided to call my dad just in case. we talked about it for a bit, got some more info from the salesman (Michael) and I walked out to my car. After talking a bit more my dad encouraged me to head back inside and order it. I couldn't believe it. This was a NICE piece of furniture! I wasn't pushing my dad to buy this for me, and honestly, i didn't think I would end up with this bookshelf--it was way too nice! I talked with Michael again and had it ordered. It is scheduled to be delivered on the 16th.
I walked back out to my car stunned. I called home again and talked to my dad (who put me on speakerphone so my mom could be in on the conversation as well). I expressed to them my thankfulness as much as I could. this was an incredibly generous gift.
and i realized something. and i told them. i was reminded of Matthew 7 --
much more, then, my Heavenly Father, knows how to give good gifts to me. and He does and will do so.
what an amazing lesson.
even greater, though...but i didn't realize this until i was almost home (maybe 30 mins later). months ago, when i realized i was going to need a new bookshelf, i started praying for one. a bookshelf is not something that adds to my spirituality to any extent--i knew it was not a prayer request for something that i absolutely needed. just something i wanted. i had thought about how God might answer it: have someone give me their used bookshelf, provide a bit of money so i could go to target and get a particleboard bookshelf, receive a wal-mart quality bookshelf for Christmas. all of which i would have been very grateful for.
but, driving home i realized: God had answered even this request. this unnecessary request. my Father answered it exceedingly, abundantly, beyond all that i had asked or thought.
He does answer prayer. praise Him!
my calendar on my iPod touch reminded me after work "get bookshelf".
for Christmas I had asked my parents for a bookshelf. I have two small bookshelves which were quite full before i started seminary, and now I'm purchasing about 15 books per quarter...needless to say, my shelves have quickly overflowed (even with just the first quarter's worth of books!).
when i went home for Christmas a quick glance under the tree told me there was no bookshelf under there. either that or it was there, but it would only hold 6 books--there were no large boxes of any shape under the tree. but i was glad when i opened a "coupon" that read "This coupon good for one sfine bookshelf. Merry Christmas!" (for those of you who might not speak "Fairfield", "sfine" can mean a wide variety of things from "fine" to "great" to "we want to get you a bookshelf, but we think it'd be great if you picked it out 'cause then you could get the one you like and then we'll just pay you back for it." ...it's a powerful word.)
so...today after work i set out with this coupon in hand, intending to redeem it. i wasn't sure where the best place to find a bookshelf would be, so i kept my eyes peeled on my way home. there was a mall-type place right off the freeway, so i decided to take that exit. though no store seemed to be a good store for bookshelves, i headed into Macy's. an employee was standing near the door as i walked in. i asked if they had any bookshelves. "No, we don't carry those." I was about to walk out. Then I asked "Do you know what store would sell them?" He mentioned a few places including a special Macy's Furniture in Novato. I decided to check it out. Being my typical self I didn't ask for directions, and having never been to Novato I had an adventuresome time finding the Macy's there. but i like driving adventures.
i walked in and was overwhelmed by the amount of furniture. the place almost seemed void of people (not surprising with the combo of the recession and being new year's day), but i was able to find a salesperson. he showed me a few bookshelves and one stood out to me. i really liked it. but the price...seemed a little too much for the "sfine" range. but i decided to call my dad just in case. we talked about it for a bit, got some more info from the salesman (Michael) and I walked out to my car. After talking a bit more my dad encouraged me to head back inside and order it. I couldn't believe it. This was a NICE piece of furniture! I wasn't pushing my dad to buy this for me, and honestly, i didn't think I would end up with this bookshelf--it was way too nice! I talked with Michael again and had it ordered. It is scheduled to be delivered on the 16th.
I walked back out to my car stunned. I called home again and talked to my dad (who put me on speakerphone so my mom could be in on the conversation as well). I expressed to them my thankfulness as much as I could. this was an incredibly generous gift.
and i realized something. and i told them. i was reminded of Matthew 7 --
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.I had received from my earthly father because I had asked. My earthly father does know how to give good gifts, he knows how to bless me. and he does this generously and lovingly. he loves to bless me. and i felt blessed.
"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
"Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?
"Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!"
much more, then, my Heavenly Father, knows how to give good gifts to me. and He does and will do so.
what an amazing lesson.
even greater, though...but i didn't realize this until i was almost home (maybe 30 mins later). months ago, when i realized i was going to need a new bookshelf, i started praying for one. a bookshelf is not something that adds to my spirituality to any extent--i knew it was not a prayer request for something that i absolutely needed. just something i wanted. i had thought about how God might answer it: have someone give me their used bookshelf, provide a bit of money so i could go to target and get a particleboard bookshelf, receive a wal-mart quality bookshelf for Christmas. all of which i would have been very grateful for.
but, driving home i realized: God had answered even this request. this unnecessary request. my Father answered it exceedingly, abundantly, beyond all that i had asked or thought.
He does answer prayer. praise Him!
posted by Elias at 22:33
6 comments
