My sophomore year in college, I lived in a sorority house. It didn’t have many parking spots and most of them belonged to the juniors. I was pretty much limited to the parallel parking in front of my house and the student lots behind it. I had never parallel parked before, so I decided that I would just park in the student lot near my house. I quickly learned that people liked to park their cars in this lot for days and between four sorority houses, the other spaces were never available. My car ended up in the back lot, which meant a very long walk home.
One night, I had stayed up late talking at my sister’s house, and by the time I drove home it was past midnight. The sky was like coal, and the thought of parking in that back lot made me nervous. I drove through all of the lots, but every space was taken. Being a weeknight, it wasn’t very likely for anyone to get out and move their car. My stomach churned; I kept thinking of the long the walk from the back lot. I started to pray that the Lord would open up a spot.
It started to rain and I started to cry. I didn’t know how to parallel park, but I drove through the street in front of my house anyway. I then realized that while I was praying, I was also thinking of how what I was praying for was impossible. I decided I would drive around one more time, but this time, I would thank the Lord for the spot he would provide. As I turned on the street in front of my house, I saw a car leaving, and I knew that spot was meant for me.
That was the night I learned how to parallel park, and that was the night I started praying for parking spots. Every time I had to drive in late, I prayed with faith and the Lord provided. The Lord became so real to me that year; sometimes it felt like he was riding along in the passenger seat. I began to pray out loud, and my prayers became more like conversation.
I can remember one night, I was looking for a spot, praying with faith, but nothing was happening. I drove around for a while, completely confused, until I felt a small sting in my chest. I knew that the Lord wanted to talk to me about something very personal in my life; something so personal, I had tried to hide it from my creator. My heart had been broken years before, but instead of dealing with the pain when it happened, I had pushed it to depths of my memory, where it stayed.
Okay Lord, I need to talk to you about him. I spoke those words as my car was turning onto the street of my house, and I saw a huge parking spot right by the front door. I parked my car, hysterically crying, overcome with the presence of Christ, and in that moment he touched that place in my heart, where he knew my pain was and filled it with his spirit.
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Sharon says
I have prayed for parking spots for years. and God has given them to me. It has been a great testimony to my mom. She used to laugh at me for praying out loud, now she often prays for it before I do. Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness to us even in such ‘little’ things.
Stacey says
Love that he cares about what is on our hearts! He is so sweet to us!
Stacey says
Love that he cares about what is on our hearts! His so very good to us!
Holley Gerth says
Hey Girl! We are sorority sisters!! It made me smile to see the ZTA house on the U of A campus when I opened this page this morning. I lived there for three years. Thanks for the fun walk down memory lane and for reminding us all that God cares about the details of our lives (I prayed for parking spaces too)! 🙂
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shelly @ Life on the Wild Side says
I know some people think God doesn’t care or doesn’t need to waste His time with parking spots, but I’m kind of with you–I think He really does care about the little things in our lives. One time I drove one of my daughters into Chicago for her birthday–we were going to pick out an American Girl doll, but we didn’t have much time since she had to be back at 1:00 for school. So on the way I told my daughter about our time dilemma, and I prayed out loud for a parking spot so that she could see God at work. (Of course, I was also silently pleading with God in my heart.) We arrived at the store, which doesn’t have parking in front of it, but in the very next block where there was parking was a spot with our name on it. We didn’t even have to drive around the block!
Makeda says
The Father truly does care about all the things we are concerned about. I love this post but the part I love most is that He tucked at your heart to heal a place that was hurting and you were willing enough to go there with Him. Thanks for the reminder that big or small the Father sees, He knows and above all else He cares.
Joyce D. says
What an amazing story! Thanks for sharing!
April says
God is so good and cares about the little things that really are big things to us…I have prayed for countless parking spaces, especially when I was in college, too :o) Parallel parking is NOT my favorite thing to do, either! Thank you so much for this post!
Sue says
That is so amazing and only God can do that type of thing. Isn’t it wonderful when you listen to what God is asking and let Him work out the pain of life.
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Donna says
I miss that kind of ear for God in me, that sensitivity to His finger on a spot in my heart.
Mel's World with Melissa Mashburn says
So very sweet…I love when we feel Him that close to us!
Gina says
Just finished a Priscilla Shirer Bible study where we discussed the small and big things we can trust God for…then I saw your post what a great reminder that there is nothing too small to concern God with. If it concerns us, it concerns Him. BTW, my daughter is being initiated into that very house this very night! Hope she finds a sisterhood of other believers there that will encourage her in her own walk of faith.
Mels Goin Goin Gone says
That is powerful to pray for what He IS going to do, in a positive way than to pray begging for what we know we need. Thanks for sharing!
Betty Rose Miller says
What a blessing to enjoy this story and the comments evoked. I get so invigorated by the unity of His children by His Spirit. Considering how frail and incompetent we are on our own, and that fact that most of us have always believed in our own strength, will bring understanding that the greater battle is His patience waiting for our surrender to His grace. Then all these things are added unto us when and as we need them, His supply is inexhaustable and His mercies are renewed every morning. Taste and see that the Lord is good. When you trust in Him, nothing can overcome you; He is inconquerable, unfailing and loves you without end. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the cross, and for every moment of confidence in your loving care.