Thankful For.... (#4)

This is #4 in my elaboration of "I Am Thankful For".... (the others are located on my blog in order)

5.  God's Pruning

4.  Unanswered prayers

3.  Direction & Discernment

2.  Protection

1.  My Husband & Children

#4 - Unanswered Prayers -- I love that old country song that Garth Brooks use to sing entitled "Unanswered Prayers". The chorus went something like this:

(Made famous by Garth Brooks)

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers 

Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean He doesn't care Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Are you singing along? My Daddy use to sing along to this song in his old pick up truck when I was just a kid. I remember thinking, why would anyone agree with these lyrics? To me, they seemed so depressing. Little did I know!

Now that I am a little older and wiser I can say, there have been many, many, many times I have been thankful that God chose NOT to answer my prayers. Let me share a few in particular that may help to invoke memories of your own gratitude for unanswered prayers.

• Growing up, I prayed earnestly that God would allow me to marry my high-school sweetheart. I was in LOVE!!!!! I would have married that boy in a second, but he cheated on me and left me with a broken heart. It's probable that his behavior of "cheating" would have continued in our marriage. I thank God He didn't answer that prayer.
• During high school I use to pray our family would relocate to Southern Maryland about an hour from my home in Baltimore.  We had a lot of family who lived there and I just loved visiting and always felt it would be a great place to call home. My parents at one time were considering moving there, but thank God  He never answered that prayer. In the end, I had wonderful and life enhancing experiences in High school.  Homecoming Court, School Spirit, I lettered in two sports, was selected for the lead in our musical productions three years in a row and elected to represent the Baltimore County Student Government at the national level both my junior and senior years. Those experiences afforded me privileges to develop my leadership skills I would have never had the opportunity to do, if we would have moved.
• My senior year of highschool I started asking God to provide a way for me to enter into the University of Maryland Dental program. Upon graduation I learned I would have to attend a community college first before enrolling in their program.  I took that as God closing the door and instead I enrolled at Lee University. Why is this so important? For three reasons: I met some amazing people at Lee University who still remain mentors in my life. I ended up getting my degree in Business Administration which allowed me to focus my career as a software trainer for many years; eventually that experience has become a stepping stone, in more ways than one, for the ministry I am currently involved in. Most importantly while at Lee, I met the most amazing man, my husband, my soul-mate!

There are numerous other prayers I could mention that God didn't answer along the way but now looking back I can see He certainly knew what He was doing. God is so good and His plans for us are excellent, don't doubt Him friend.

If God has yet to answer your prayer it could be, He has better plans for you. 

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future!'

Blessings, Polly

But God Says...

I didn't know what time it was when I abruptly awakened and I sprang to my feet. It was still dark outside, it felt like I had only been asleep an hour. I glanced down at the clock, 3:22 am? Seems like more often these days, God is waking me a lot earlier. Sometimes I go back to sleep; other times I retreat to the couch. Still not sure what to do, I headed to the kitchen to refill my glass of water and then He spoke: (not in an audible voice but in my spirit):
God:  "You can do it Polly!" 
Me:  I can?!  
Still, not fully awake yet to understand the point of this conversation, I made my way to the couch in the dark, just me God and my glass of water. I have noticed this has been happening more on a regular basis, so sometimes I read, sometimes I pray, and sometimes I just listen. 
Me: Couldn't you just tell me this in the morning? -------(pause) I'm super tired.
I chuckled out loud at God, because He gets me! He understands that my flesh wants to go back to my comfy bed to rest, but my spirit longs to stay because my time with Him is so real, so incredible, so intoxicating! He knows I'd wait all night on that couch for Him to speak to me!
God: "Go grab your journal and pen first!"

Me: Okay Lord I'll be right back.


and this is what He said...
God: My sheep know my voice and they follow. Too many voices are competing for your attention, I need you to come sit in my presence so you can hear me. 
The smile on your face was a cover up for the pain you are carrying inside. I hurt when you hurt and I am moved when you are in need. Don't worry about  the environment around you my child, for I will finish what I have started. You keep your eyes on me, look to hear my voice above the rest. You can do it! 


Me: I'm not sure God, I doubt my abilities.
God: Why? Who told you that you couldn't?
Me: I just don't see any progress. 
God: Don't be convinced by what you see, faith is in the unseen. It is the enemy you have taken notice of. He has told you, it's too late, but I control time and seasons. He declares you are defeated, but with me you are more than a conqueror!  Satan says, look at your past, but my child, I control your future. He mocks, where's your God now? I respond, right here beside her! He plots and plans behind the scenes, but I will expose him. He says, your finished, but I say, you have just begun. He yells, you can't and I whisper, oh yes you can! He says you loose, but I say you win! 


You must keep your eyes on me, focused and attentive to my voice. Choose today to ignore the voice of the enemy, his words fall on unstable ground, but my words remain forever. I love you My child, You can do it Polly!
I love you,
God


My friends, I know God specifically spoke these words to me, but He also intended for you to hear them too! Otherwise I could have gone back to sleep at 3:22 am, but He desired I write them down on paper and share it with you. He loves you, He is for you and He is in control! Don't be thrown off course by what it looks like in the "natural" for God takes the super and adds it to the natural; and works in the "supernatural"! (LOL) ---His ways are higher than our ways, His plans are better than we could ever imagine. He sees the beginning, the end and every single step in between. Drown out the voices that seek to pervert His plan for your life and listen to the one who gave you life!


In His Love ---
Polly