Answered Prayer

Right now, I find myself in Florida, spending time with my aunt and cousins. It has been a very nice visit, and yet, despite that, I have been dealing with thoughts of sadness and restlessness. It's not the company, mind you, it's just me, over thinking things, as usual.

Today, as I laid down to take a nap, I begged God to comfort my soul. Over and over again, I asked for Him to wrap His arms around me and lift me up. Then I fell asleep. When I woke up, I felt a little better, but I found myself still wrestling with my thoughts. I keep thinking about my recent break-up with my boyfriend. I find myself worrying about my aunts and my dad. I am fretting over the new school year, and what that is going to entail regarding my job. I am not looking forward to it because of the changes that have been made regarding my position.

Tonight, while watching television with my mom and aunt, I looked down on the coffee table, and found this little booklet called "Life's Wonders". Curious, I opened it up and thumbed through the pages. I turned to a page with the title, "Forever Near", and felt compelled to read it. It is a poem written by someone named Minnie Boyd Popish. It is like a little prayer talking about how God is there throughout life's troubles, and that He will be there forever. After reading the poem, I felt my spirits lift, as I realized that this is God's way of telling me that He is here with me now, and that He is taking care of me, and will forever. When reading the poem, I felt such comfort, and such love. It dissolved away my fears and worries, and I am just so thankful that He reached out to me in this way.

It seems that God likes to do this kind of thing a lot. He answers prayers in little ways, and let's us connect the dots. That way, we know it is Him, and we recognize that we need Him. So, when we pray, we need to keep a watch out, because He will answer; He just doesn't always answer immediately, or in the way we think we should be answered.

So, I will pass this poem on to you, for maybe you need it as much as I do right now.

There are days, dear Lord,
I trouble over what to do.
Such days I know I must
Place my hope and trust in You.

I must trust and pray,
Knowing life - like stormy skies
That soon are blue again -
Goes on, and dry my weeping eyes.

My every need You know
And tell me to recall
Promises of love forever near
In words You spoke for all.

Thus I can face each day
With lifted heart, steadied hand,
Knowing that Your love is there
And every trial You understand.

With my answered prayer, I know
A gift has come for me to share
With others who need know
You're forever near, You'll forever care!

-Minnie Boyd Popish