“Anne, I need to talk with you,” I said, beginning the dreaded conversation with our almost sixteen-year-old daughter one Saturday morning. “You know that dad and I were saving money to buy a third car for the family so that when you turn sixteen, you’ll have a vehicle to use. What we didn’t count on was our well running dry (oh, the joys of country living!). When we had to have a new well dug, we had to use the car money. Now, unfortunately, we won’t be able to purchase a car.”
Anne’s face reflected her disappointment. I was disappointed, too. With four children at the time, I was looking forward to some help with the taxi responsibilities.
“I’m bummed, Mom, but I understand. I guess I’ll just have to pray for a car.”
I affirmed her decision, but I had no idea how serious she was. Several weeks after our conversation, Anne popped in the kitchen while I was making dinner and said, “Mom, you know how I told you that I would pray for a car? I just wanted you to know that I am praying specifically like you’ve taught me. I’m praying that it would have an automatic transmission because I don’t know how to drive a stick shift. I’m also praying that it would be a four-door vehicle since I’ll be taking my brothers and sister so many places, and it’s a pain to climb in and out of the backseat of a two-door. And I decided to ask God if it would be possible for it to be blue because it’s my favorite color.”
I stared at her in astonishment. “Wow! That’s a tall order,” I responded. “I think if a car becomes available, you’d better be ready to take it as it is, even if it means learning to drive a stick, dealing with two doors, or learning to like another color!”
“I know, Mom,” she replied, “but God tells us to ask specifically so I am. And I believe He can provide if it’s in His will.”
I was amazed at my daughter’s spiritual maturity, but my heart was torn in two directions. I was so proud of Anne’s faith; she was taking God at His word and her belief was strong. At the same time, I desperately wanted to protect my girl from further disappointment. This was a tall order and even though I believed that God could provide, I just didn’t know that He really would, and I didn’t want her to get hurt.
Several days after that conversation, I stumbled out of bed early one morning and decided to check my email before everyone woke up and the morning chaos began. I noticed an email from a man at our church who had never emailed us before. When I opened the email and began to read, tears started rolling down my cheeks:
Hello Mark and Jill,
I’m in the process of purchasing a new car and my old one still runs fine but it isn’t worth a whole lot. I’ve been praying about what to do with the old car, and today, as I was walking down the hall at work, I thought of you. I think you have a daughter who will be driving soon, and I’m wondering if you would like a car for her. Here are the basic details: it’s a 1983 Honda Accord, automatic transmission, four doors. Don’t know that it matters, but it’s blue. Let me know if you’d be interested. If you are, I’m willing to give it to your family.
Mike
I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was humbled by my daughter’s faith and God’s miraculous provision. “Yes, Mike,” I whispered aloud, “it does matter that it’s blue. It matters a lot!”
What is it that you need to be talking to God about today? Don’t hesitate to share your whole heart with Him, down to the details you think might not really matter. No matter how God answers your prayer, you can trust Him to have your best interest at heart. More importantly, you can trust that He cares about the big things and the little things in life!
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6 (ESV)
No matter how God answers your prayer, you can trust Him to have your best interest at heart. -@jillsavage: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
Jill, what an amazing story. God’s Father heart was right out there on his holy sleeve for this one!
Your book sounds intriguing, and since I’m living in an empty-ing nest, I’ll certainly check it out.
Hi Michele, great to “meet” you! And yes, please do check out all my empty nest resources! You can find them at http://www.EmptyNestBook.com!
Wow! What a cool story and incredible God moment! Your daughter, Anne, sounds like an amazing young woman. (And I love her name, not that I’m biased or anything 😉 Great job, mama! I can only hope to inspire such powerful faith in my own young children. Thank you for sharing!
God bless you!
Anne
Thanks Anne! And you even spell it the same!
Jill,
Most people-even Christians-don’t pray enough. We think God only cares about the “big” problems. We certainly don’t get into details like your daughter. He wants us to pray specifically. He longs for conversations with us & for us to trust Him. Your daughter certainly showed her trust & faith in the prayers. God is in the details of our lives. Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. We must be willing to knock on the door of heaven & ask God specifically for our “needs”. He can & will provide. Great story of faith & trust.
Blessings 🙂
Thanks Beth!
Goodness, you have no idea how much I needed to read this story. The timing of this encouragement can only be God. I was awake in the middle of the night last night, anxiety running rampant in my thoughts, but also re-praying, with specific details, a prayer that I’ve been praying for my daughter for just over a year now.
God’s timing is always perfect!
Wow that is so amazing!!! Such an example of our prayers being answered if it’s in line with Gods will. And yet again God I’d talking to me through the story of your for his provision for your daughter and family. Amen!! Thanks for sharing x
#God is talking yo me…
So glad!
Hi Jill these devotionals are so encouraging every morning I try to read one from (in)courage, the topics are always timely and bring me thoughtful peace
Love that!
This story had me in tears this morning. After following a call from God, I sold almost everything I had to move across the country, left a place I had made home, and a whole support network of friends to start over elsewhere in a position He provided for me. However, it has come with financial, emotional, and spiritual challenges that have been particularly burdensome this week. I am praying for specific things, but so far have not seen any outcomes, and have been accused of these things being desires and not needs. But God sees, and God knows. Thank you for your encouragement! <3
Addie, trust God’s heart. If He doesn’t provide, trust that He has something else — something even better — for you!
You can trust Him, Addie. And if he doesn’t answer your prayers the way you prayed for you can STILL trust that He has something else for you!
Your story is all too familiar and brings tears to my eyes in remembering how good and generous our God is!
My story is about my 7-year-old Grandson who wanted a sister and prayed for one. No matter how we gently tried to explain that God sometimes answers different than we hope, he was insistent and continued to pray. In August, our twin Granddaughters were born! He said “I told you so.” And God gave his request a resounding “Yes!”
I love the simple faith of children!
I LOVE this!
Thank you for sharing this story. What an awesome reminder of how great our God is. As adults we often get jaded, but thank goodness for our kids who remind us to pray specifically!
So true. I guess that’s why Jesus says we need to become like children with our faith!
Hi Jill,
This was an awesome testament to God providing. It truly touched my heart because like yourself, I teach my children to pray to God for their needs and wants! “Everything” Just think how much your daughter’s faith has grown because her Heavenly Father thought about her personally and graciously. Thanks for sharing. Charisse 😉
Yes, now her faith strengthens mine!
What an awesome God we have. I need to pray more and more specifically, and trust God, no matter how He answers. Thanks for the reminder