questions

We all want answers to life’s questions. Usually, we ask them before something happens. “Should I change jobs?” “Should we sell the house?” But then, after something does happen, they change to “Why did that happen?”

For the one who talks to God, we want, and at times, expect him to answer our questions immediately, but if you have walked with God for a while, then you know He doesn’t always answer them on our timetable!

I stopped the other day at a fireworks stand. I have been a big fan of them since I was a child. Last year, I got to shoot off the free package of fireworks that April had won in a raffle. The show was incredible for non-professional ones! I was hoping there would be a way to get some for this year, so I stopped to see what the prices were.

I started talking to the salesman. I knew a church in a small town about 70 miles away ran the stand as a fundraiser. I also knew what organization the church was affiliated with. Turns out, the man I was speaking to was the pastor of the church.

I wasn’t sure why I did, at the time, but I told him I used to go to a church nearby, also affiliated with the organization. I shared with him the struggle April and I had in meeting people there, and how we tried to join a “home group,” but the leader of that group never called us. I mean, April and I shower regularly, and I don’t think we look funny or are weird or anything. I assured him I wasn’t angry or bitter over the circumstances and that we are now going to another church that we like, and that we have already met several people.

The pastor looked at me and said, “Perhaps you were never meant to go there.” I stood stunned for a moment and then replied, “You may be right.” My friend Steve would say, “Now that’s profound!” And it was. You see, I had been questioning for a while, “Why is it so hard for us to meet people here?” God directed us to where we “should” be attending out of frustration.

Perhaps randomly meeting someone isn’t so random after all. What if the encounter was set up by God? Did He have the meeting on “his” appointment schedule, but knew I didn’t need to receive a memo about it? In certain situations, like me meeting the pastor of a church at a fireworks stand, wasn’t random at all! God knew that the pastor had the answer to the question that was in the back of my mind. “Thank you, Father, for the encounter and the answer.” Now I can delete that one and make room for a new question.

The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the Lord,
And He delights in his way [and blesses his path]. Ps. 37:23 (AMP)

This post was written days before the 4^th of July. Not only will I be reflecting on my freedom as a citizen, but I will also be celebrating that God cares and answers my questions.

I have written in many posts that God knows what we are going through and cares, no matter how insignificant it may seem compared to everything else going on in the world. It matters to me; therefore, it matters to God. I have testified that He knows every answer to every question and loves to help us find a solution to our issue if we only ask him. In this post, I will show you.

I am currently working on remodeling the upstairs of our house. Turning it into a small apartment. The floorplan of our home makes this work without interruption to anyone living on the first floor. Why? So, after I leave this Earth, April can rent it out as another stream of income. Until then, we are hoping to use it to minister to people in need. A missionary home for a month or two, a woman who needs a safe place to stay to escape an abusive relationship, etc.

Yesterday, I was trying to screw a shower control to a backer board. The issue is this; you have to put the screws in from the bathroom side. The distance to the holes where the screw goes into is about 4 inches away in the room behind the shower. I was by myself. I got very frustrated after every failed attempt. Nothing was working. I needed someone to help, but there was only God. I stopped trying and mentioned it to April, but she is currently working overtime and was very tired. I understood.

I laid there in bed last night thinking, “How am I going to do this by myself?” Then, I asked God for help. Seconds later, I saw an image of a screw sticking out of a plastic straw. (See photos below.) Then I saw the screwdriver sliding into the straw and turning the screw. I realized the straw would hold the screw and keep it from falling.

Today, I tried it, and of course, it worked! In a couple of minutes, I got both screws put in. I laughed and cried out, “God, you are so amazing!” Then, in full disclosure, I started crying. I know I am not perfect, and I mess up a lot! I don’t deserve his help, his concern, his love, or his Son, Jesus. But if you know God, then you know there is no stopping him from loving us. Some may say, “Why didn’t you use a magnetic screwdriver?” Like Gene Kranz told his team in the movie “Apollo 13”, “We can only use the equipment they have up there.” In other words, I don’t have a magnetic screwdriver.

³⁸And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8:38-39 (NLT)

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Heb. 4:16 (NIV)

What do you need help with? Have you asked God? Go ahead. I dare you! And be prepared to be amazed.