kristaphillips 
Some of you who follow me on Facebook or Twitter know that my kiddos were sick on Monday. All three of them by days end were running 102+ fevers, and I myself was at 100 and had a splitting headache. Two of my Three kids were coughing, so the presumption was that the flu bug had hit us.
This morning, when I left, my eldest daughter had a temp of 104, and the other two were asleep. I doped up the one on medicine, then went to work, praying that Jesus would make my kiddos better and would give my husband patience to make it through the day.
When I called a few hours later, Scott said that no child registered a fever, and only my oldest one was really acting like she felt bad. *Phew* I thought… must not have been the flu, just a little bug, because the flu hangs on there for a few days.
On my way home, I was thinking again about how weird it was that they seemed to be getting better so fast.
Then it hit me.
Well, more than likely, God slapped me over the head and said, “Um, Hello? Over here?”
Krista: “Yes God?”
God: “If you recall, you prayed for your children to get better, right?”
Krista: “Yes, I did. I thought they had the flu, but evidently it was just a little 24 hour bug or something. Thanks anyway, though.”
God glared at me.
Krista: “What?”
God glared some more.
Krista: “Ohhhhhhhhhhh. I get it.”
God: “Do you?”
Krista: “I prayed… people I asked to pray did… and… you answered?”
God: “Darn tootin’, I answered. Why is it, whenever someone’s prayers get answered, they think it was of their own strength… or fate… or nature… or a mistake? They tell me, ‘Never mind, didn’t need you after all.'”
I realized after my conversation with God how much I do this. I pray because I’m supposed to, I really WANT God to answer my prayers, but in the back of my mind I don’t think that I expect something big to happen. Puts “Oh ye of little faith” into a whole new perspective for me.
Ugh, I’m so glad God has patience!
Bringing it back to writing
I honestly try to give God the glory in my own writing. I KNOW I’m not good enough, that I can’t come up with ideas, and find the time to write. This whole thing is so much bigger than I am. If I succeed, it will be a TOTAL God thing.
But I’m constantly reminding myself of that, because I know how EASY it is to take credit for the good things that happened. It’s in our nature.
Discussion:
How do YOU keep everything into perspective? Am I the only one that gets reprimanded by God when He answers prayer and we realize it too late?
Krista, it's so funny but I've done this too! My kids get better and I forget that I'd asked God to make them that way. He's pretty awesome and patient with us. I hope you all get some rest today.
It's so easy to forget to give God credit for all of the good things that happen, isn't it? I want to try to remember he's in control of everything that happens and so whether it's a "good" thing or "bad" thing, he divinely controls it all. I want to be like Job who said, "You give and take away, blessed be the name of the Lord."
I've done it too Krista, and thankfully God extends the same patience my way.
The focus if writing leaves me solely dependent on God. The scripture comes to mind, "In Him we live, move, and have our very being."
Everyday I need to ask God to direct my words, my purpose, and His gift.
I'm highly amused that God said, "Darn tootin'" to you!
I think God laughs at me a lot. It's often I think he watches me chasing yarn, like a cat spinning in circles.
Perspective…it comes with knowing every day I can start fresh with Him.
~ Wendy
Glad to her your children are on the mend. I have one home now with a massive head cold.
I love your conversations with God. I need to do this, maybe then He'll actually talk to me!!
Oh, man, I so do this!
One thing I've been learning is:
Pray so specifically that when the prayer is answered, you will KNOW beyond any doubt that it was God who answered.
I'm so glad your kids are better. And it's amazing how fast we switch to normal as soon as our prayers are answered, isn't it? I'm guilty!
Glad God answered that prayer for you! No fun when kiddos are sick!
When we get to heaven, I think we'll be surprised at just how many bad things God prevented or fixed.
That traffic jam saved us from being in an accident. In my cousin's friend's case, a car breaking down kept him out of Windows on the World on 9/11.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
Love this post, Krista! It is amazing to look back on all of the prayers God answered only to realize we failed to give Him credit for the answer. Hmmmm. I can definitely say I'm thankful for His patience, too!!
Glad everyone's feeling better!
How do I keep everything in perspective? I go on blogs like yours and get put back in shape. Thanks for your help today.
What I get irked about is when we're surprised that our prayers were answered. Hmm…
I'm so glad I'm not alone! Thanks everyone for chiming in. God's not done with us yet!
Jeanette, I am SO with you on the that! Why are we surprised? I mean, don't we expect God to answer?
I think sometimes our prayers are so very very selfish, "God please make ALL pain go away" "God please fix this NOW" and He has to gently tell us no so many times, that we are surprised when we get a yes.
Hmmm, I'll have to think on that for a while.
Krista,
I feel just like you. I pray and pray and when he does answer the way I prayed, I am amazed even though I prayed. I am happy your childrenn are better! This flu is scary for young kids. Glad you feel better too!