THE CHRISTMAS TREE BLESSING: GOD’S PERFECT TIMING*
We were driving home from school on a Monday and passed a stand of Christmas trees. Although we stopped to pick one out, neither child liked any of the trees. Not one!
Back in the car, I suggested we pray about where we could find a nice tree. A nearby family-owned farm came to mind, but neither child wanted to go. “Can we just go home?” complained a voice from the back seat. The sour looks on their faces told me there was no point making an ordeal of something that should be fun.
“Well then, let’s pray for what day to go.” Wednesday came to mind. That made no sense. My daughter had a meeting after school that day. Hmm…maybe I got that wrong. Oh well.
When I picked up the children on Wednesday, my daughter cheerfully announced that her meeting had been cancelled. The tree hunt was on! We had a great time walking through the forest of trees and selecting one that everyone agreed to. When it came time to pay, the cashier told us the tree was 40 percent off! Out of curiosity I asked when the trees went on sale. “Yesterday,” she replied.
Had we gone on Monday, we would have paid full price. God knew how to bless us with a bargain! Many times what does not make sense initially makes perfect sense after seeing the end results of praying.
Whether it is a big decision or a small one, prayer is a priority for me because I have seen its power in my life and my family’s lives time and time again.
Discover for yourself the power of prayer and learn how to experience amazing answers to your prayers too, in Simple Prayers, Powerful Results: A Six-Week Bible Study on Discovering God’s Wisdom and Will.
*story excerpted from Simple Prayers, Powerful Results (Warner Press).