365 Project Day 329: Answered Prayers

Canon 5D Mark ll, 1.2 aperture, 1/640 shutter, 125 ISO

James 1:17 ~”Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

I still marvel at the thought of it. I have held this treasure close, letting it’s light warm my heart over and over again. He heard me. I am still dancing, twirling like a little girl in her daddy’s gaze. God heard my prayers, and He answered them.

When Annie left for England I wished secretly to go too, but I never uttered a word or whispered a prayer about it. At least not until a couple months ago. The desire grew in me, but I evaluated it internally and dismissed it as too ridiculous to bring to God. We have bills to pay and a trip to England was an extravagance that didn’t seem to fit into our budget.  I guess I thought it was my job to decide what was okay to ask God for. One day as I  struggled over these thoughts I felt I heard Him speak. ” Why don’t you do the asking and let me decide how I will answer?” He was asking me to give Him my whole heart  by laying my desires bare before Him. Why was I embarrassed to ask God for something like this? I don’t know. Funny how we find ways to make God small. So I prayed. “God, I would like to go to England. If that is okay with you, will you provide a way?” I whispered this prayer many times, quietly. I only told a few people that I was praying about it. Some agreed to pray with me. I really didn’t believe I would go, but I did what He asked of me. I asked God for the desire of my heart.

Then, several weeks ago, the answer came. Someone offered to pay my way. I was speechless. Dumbfounded. Could this be true? It took days to wrap my mind and heart around it. God was answering my prayer, and He was saying yes. I was humbled to the point of tears. This was a quiet wish of my heart, and my Father heard me. This was my first time to travel across the ocean, and I would be going alone. It was a very big deal for a girl who rarely leaves her country road. I had to stretch my heart wide to receive the gift, and the realization that the God of the universe cups his ears to hear my prayers and answers them so tangibly. Even now, my heart glows in the light of His reply to my almost imperceptible whispers.

I will never forget flying across the ocean on my way over during the middle of the night. The stars shining brightly, the moon reflecting on the wings of the plane and soft tears of joy slipping down my face. How my Father loves me.

I am still unearthing treasures from my journey. Today, I wept when I saw a photo of London on another site. I did not go to London on this trip, but I am now realizing that I serve a God who loves to give gifts. While I was there He told me to take “small bites” and not worry about seeing everything. I did as I was told, comforted by His words to me. I took small bites believing that there will be more when I need or want it. I am learning to trust in a God who loves to fulfill the desires of my heart.

I am humbled and grateful. I encourage you to ask God for all that is in your heart, and let Him decide the outcome. I believe you will see how much He loves you.

Here are a few more treasures from my time in England. How I loved it.