Ok so right now you must be thinking I'm a little crazy right? Who in their right mind would throw even the smallest hint of a fairytale into a Christian setting? But no, this isn't your typical fairytale with that famous beginning, a problem followed by an epic quest or battle to resolve said problem, which is concluded by the lines that every young lover dreams of, "And they lived happily ever after".
Simply there is no ending, because I haven't died yet.
I decided to throw in the title because of a story I'm going to tell from my childhood. I picked the title because, well, I was young, the story is from my past, we all have a past, and hey, it makes it sound a little more intriguing right?
A few nights ago, I was laying in bed, having just finished reading, Come to the Garden by Jennifer Wilder Morgan. It's a spiritual novel inspired by true events, some of which are quite touching. It touched me. God has always been at the center of my life and I found myself able to relate to the author's experiences. So, after having finished the novel, the thought came to my mind, and I knew that God had been the one who put it in my mind, Write a blog about how God interacts in my life daily.
The thought came clear as a bell, and though it was my own voice that I heard, the words were not. I know God had just spoken to me. Who am I to ignore such clear direction?
So here I am, not knowing at all how this could impact me or anyone else or even you reading this. I do trust and believe that God intends to bless you for reading this, maybe even help you somehow. Who knows?
And here I go.
The very first time that I can remember when God answered my prayers, I was very young. Maybe 6 or 7 years old. Me and my sister Emily where at my Dad's work office building to be with him while he worked on some assignments. It was the weekend, a Saturday. There was less than a handful of people around, and it was dark. I'm not sure why, but my sister and I left my Dad's office. At one point, we tried to go back but couldn't. I didn't remember the way. We were lost.
Now my sister was around 3 or 4, and I'm sure I was trying to be the brave, protective older sibling by hiding my fears. Like I said, it was dark and there was no one else around. I was scared. I didn't like the dark and I hated being lost even more. When it was obvious that I couldn't find my way on my own, I prayed with my sister. I prayed that God would help me find a way back to my father and that me and my sister would be safe.
As soon as I finished that short, humble prayer of a 7 year old. I stood up, took my sister's hand and led her forward. Now, I didn't actually remember the way back right away. I just moved forward, with a child's faith that God would hear me. I knew He would help. A few steps forward and I remembered the way back. Me and my sister found my father and excitedly told him our story. The fear was gone and in its place was joy and confidence.
I think it's important to note that I didn't sit around and passively wait on God. I say passively because though some circumstances do require that we wait, I believe God expects us to try to move forward as best we can, always maintaining and building the faith and confidence needed to receive that answer that will come according to His will and time.
Right now my sister Emily is nearing the end of her 18th mission to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. One of her favorite scriptures comes from the New Testament.
"All things are possible to him that believes"
