Jan
3
2018
A Problem With Messages
Posted in Prayer 2 Comments
I had to send a text message to a friend.
She and I were trying to coordinate schedules.
Someone we both know had died and we planned to drive together to the visitation.
I selected her number from my phone contacts and wrote my usual lengthy text.
I remember reading a quote from the mother of mathematician, Blaise Paschal.
I have never forgotten it.
The quote seemed to apply here.
At least I seemed to understand it.
Forgive the length of this letter. I did not have time to make it short.
Writing something in a concise manner takes quite a bit of skill.
That is why I could never be a journalist.
When I write, I want to describe what I see.
I need to use adjectives, adverbs, and word pictures to describe it accurately.
The text to my friend had all the necessary information.
It had the time she would need to be at my house.
It had the travel time of the route we would take.
It included my address as well so she would have my house number.
About an hour after I sent the text, I got a reply.
Only two words were in the text message.
Wrong number.
I sent my lengthy text with all the pertinent information to a stranger.
I immediately emailed my friend and told her what happened.
I asked her for her correct phone number since the one I have was obviously wrong.
I was grateful to the person who took the time to tell me I sent it to the wrong number.
I still felt a bit uneasy.
My friend replied to my email.
I have her correct cell number, which was not remotely like the number I had in my contacts.
We sent a message as a test to make sure we can easily reach each other.
Success.
The same day someone popped up on my Facebook page as a friend I might know.
I saw a picture of a woman I had not seen in years.
Our daughters went to school together.
We had many long talks through the years but lost touch as our girls got older.
I saw a picture of this woman with her grandchildren.
I was very glad to see her after all these years.
I sent her a friend request.
I wrote her a long message.
Hours later, I got a reply to my message.
My suggestion to get together for lunch was warmly received.
It was the next sentence that made me pause.
I would love to get together and I’m sure my Mom would also love to see you.
Her mom?
I realized that I sent a friend request to the daughter of my friend from many years ago.
An innocent mistake was made.
An innocent mistake was made twice in one day.
I just had to laugh.
What else could I do?
A stranger received more information that I ever intended to give out.
I am now connected with two people from years ago: a daughter and her mother.
After I pondered what had happened, I thought about prayer.
How grateful I am that my prayer never goes to the wrong number.
How thankful I am that when I pray, my requests go directly to the right Person.
No mistakes; no confusion; no wrong number.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (1 John 5:14)
We can have confidence in approaching God.
We can have confidence that God hears us.
We ask according to His will that we discern when we read His Word.
There is no mistake; there is no wrong number.
We are heard.
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. (Jeremiah 29:12)
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. (Psalm 17:6)
Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. (Psalm 4:1)
I am glad that the mistakes happened.
I caused me to ponder what it means to pray.
How blessed we are that we can talk to God.
How amazing that God wants us to talk to Him in prayer.
No mistakes.
No wrong number.
We are heard.
God answers.
As we begin this New Year, let us remember that God hears us.
Since we know that we are heard, let us be intentional to talk to Him in prayer more often.
Imagine having a conversation with the Lord of the universe.
Go ahead; He hears you.
Great point, Gina. So glad that our Lord is so reliable and so consistently available. Also good to read of someone who can chuckle at her own little mistakes!
Happy New Year!
Beth,
I can definitely laugh at the little mistakes I make every day! I am so glad that God is always there for us and that He hears our prayers. How blessed we are.
Gina