A friend of mine is one of those people who is always cheerful and positive even though it seems as though she encounters more than her fair share of rotten luck in her life. As a result of all of her lousy luck, she has some pretty interesting stories to share. My favorite is the story of the night she woke up to two police officers standing at the foot of her bed in her home as she slept. By some odd set of circumstances, the front door of her house had been left wide open late at night. Her neighbor worried about her and her family and called the police, who immediately went to the house and searched every room prior to waking my friend to tell her everything was OK (and to please, lock her door next time). I think I would have had a heart attack to wake up to two police officers standing over my bed in the middle of the night! Indeed, God was watching out for my friend that night and sent help in the form of a concerned neighbor and the policemen.
Sometimes Jesus sends help when we don’t even realize we need it. I’m reminded that sometimes our prayers are answered before we ever pray them. Recently I heard someone speaking of “unanswered prayers,” and it occurred to me that while we seem to notice those a lot (or at least what we may perceive to be unanswered prayers), we sometimes miss the “un-prayed-for answers.”
One of the things that I love about praying the Examen is that, as I am reviewing my day with God, I get a glimpse of those moments where God was present, helping me along through the day—moments that perhaps I missed at the time they occurred. In those moments where God turns the tables on me and shows me where He lovingly stepped in, I am humbled and grateful.
How wonderful it is to remember that God is always watching over us and sends help before we even know that we need it. God keeps faith forever and is always eager to show that to us. Did you find any “un-prayed-for answers” in your day today?
Photo by DodgertonSkillhause at Morguefile.com
I read this piece today on Sacred Space and it reached me in such a special way that I had to see if I could find and thank you. When someone shares her spirituality with me and I fee the growth, I know a special gift — an un-prayed-for answer — has been shared by God. My thanks to both of you.
I really appreciate the concept of “un-prayed-for answers”. How often do we rush into doing something without asking our Lord for direction but God provides what we need anyway! Blessings, Cara, for the insights that you share so generously.
Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers. – Garth Brooks