Sunday, August 2, 2009

Blue Berries and Prayer ~

Yesterday morning I went for blueberries - I figured it was the last time here I'd be doing so - so why not! The berries were so wonderful last year I was hopeful to get enough to dry for the road or for making delicious scones. When I got to the farm the lady attending said it's slim pickings. Well I grabbed a couple of buckets just the same and off I went.

Walking through the rows it didn't take long to realize just how slim it was. The last years "sea of blue" was a few dots amongst green bushes. Others were there picking but not showing much for their efforts. They had children with them and it seemed more like they were on a days outing scavenger hunting with the sounds of nursery rhythms for entertainment.

But as I walked the rows I was reminded of a story in Luke chapter five; Jesus was standing by a lake and being pressed by the multitude around Him who were listening to the word of God. Seeing two boats empty as the men were washing there nets - Jesus stepped into one boat belonging to Simon and He asked him to go out a ways. Jesus sat down and began teaching from the boat. As He finished and saying to Simon put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch. I can imagine Simon with his response since he and the other men worked all night and caught nothing. But Simon at the Lord's request went out and let down the nets. There was so much fish their nets begun to break.

So here I am walking through the rows thinking about all the fish, and I was thinking that nothing is impossible for God.

Matthew 19:26 "With men this is impossible but for God all things are possible."

There's a number of things you can learn from this one story but that's what I was thinking. The Lord has been so wonderful in how He's been answering our prayers. During the past several months, and not only, there has been many requests going to Him. We have been learning to be more specific in our requests. It is true that sometimes we don't know just what to pray for and we'll have others intercede on our behalf. Also for those baptized in the Holy Spirit; He will by praying in the spirit.

In the month of June alone He has answered specific prayers and all for His glory. Three prayers were for my Mom. She had ask specifically about her job and He answered that request as well as two others (we asked that her financial needs would be met, and physical healing for her eye). Also my sister had been diagnosed with Thyroid cancer and we specifically prayed that when the biopsy was done they wouldn't find what they said she had and that all the results would come back not only negative but that this answer to prayer would be for His glory. He heard and answered! PTL! There's so many other request that He has answered and fulfilled and in the past month. What a blessing.

Now getting back to the blueberries! Again I didn't have a lot of time to spend on picking, yet alone hunting for good berries. I knew the Lord would answer my request - after all "think about all those fish!" So I asked Him; Lord all I need is a bucket full. He answered, not only with a full bucket but with the plump juicy ones. He guided me in the right direction and to a few bushes, when I pick from one I'd start picking from another and turning back to the one I'd already picked from - had more on! He could have given me more but that was my request - that was what I needed. His answers are always the best and He does supply all our needs; and not always in the way we expect. What is your prayer request?

Mark 11:24 "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you."

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

2 comments:

Becky said...

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I love this post! I needed to be reminded that the Lord does indeed hear our prayers and He does answer in HIS own way. All we need to do is pray with full faith and trust! My favorite verse is Matthew 19:26. It something that we need to remember always...with God ALL (not some but all) things are possible. ~Eileen