Had a little moment today as I remembered this story.
Way back when Jude and I were first married I really wanted a piano. I was writing a lot of music at the time and occasionally playing in church, and had no way to practice or write while I was at home. I knew there was NO way we could afford to buy one at the time so I started praying consistently that God would provide one for me. I didn't tell anyone except for my husband and a co-worker/friend because I really felt that God would provide regardless of if I talked about it or not, and I wanted to see what He would do.
A couple weeks later I got a phone call out of the blue from someone saying that they had a friend that was moving, and they were looking to get rid of their piano for FREE, and did I want it. Of course I said, "Um-- YES!" I hung up the phone and told my co-worker/friend what happened. We were both shocked at how quickly God had answered my prayer! On my way home that day, I was thanking God for that piano and how He so lovingly provided for my want, and not just my needs. As I was thanking Him, I suddenly heard a little quiet voice break through my prayers.
"Give the piano to your sister."
In any other situation I would have probably shrugged the thought off and went on my merry musical way, but the voice was so clear, so profound, and I felt the Holy Spirit tangible in the car with me. It brought tears to my eyes.. and made me angry.
"What?! No WAY! Are you kidding me!? You just gave it to me! Wasn't this your way of answering my prayer? Of blessing me? And you want me to give it away!? You are joking. Tell me you are joking."
But the still calm peace growing in the bottom of my heart told me, He wasn't joking. After a few minutes of frustrated tears I put down my tissues and sighed, "Okay." I picked up my cell phone right that moment to call my sister. She wasn't home at the time, but since my brother in law answered the phone, I figured I'd ask him.
A: "Hey Greg, let me ask you. Any chance that Jess wants a piano? Someone gave one to me today, and I feel like God wants me to give it to her."
G: "You're kidding me right? Are you pulling my leg?"
A: (totally confused)... "Um, no... why does she want one?"
G: "Yes! She has been praying every single night that God would provide one! This is awesome! Are you being serious?"
I assured him that I was indeed serious, and that the piano was theirs that evening if they could go and pick it up. I hung up the phone and smiled at God, "Okay, God. You win. That was pretty awesome." It didn't matter that I was still pianoless, I was just overjoyed that God had used me to answer someone's prayer. Someone who I love very much. A prayer I didn't have a clue was even being prayed!
My sister used that piano to teach piano lessons from her home, and now she plays regularly on her church's worship team. As for me? I learned a valuable lesson about obeying God's voice and trusting His timing because not even a year later God called my husband and I to spend a year working in Africa as missionaries. After that we moved houses four times in a matter of three years! There was no way a piano would have lasted five moves and a year in storage, and there was no way that I could have seen God's plan for us that far in advance. Giving it away was the best thing to do, but I had to just trust God even thought it didn't make sense at the time. I didn't even see the big picture until some years later.
It was over six years after I prayed that first prayer that we purchased our first home (home #6!) and we finally settled down in one place long enough to own a piano. My in-laws, who were also moving at the time, generously offered their piano to me, so finally I got the piano that I prayed for so many years before. I realized then that God never told me no. He knew that a piano would increase my ministry, my talents, and my realm of influence, but He also knew that if He gave it to me in the wrong timing, it would be more of a burden than a blessing. I'm still amazed that He honored my prayer request from six years earlier- a prayer that I had all but forgotten I'd prayed.
Someone told me once that our prayers never end. That once they are prayed they keep on going forever and ever- they never die. Maybe they spin continuously around the throne, looping and swirling around the King's ears, a constant reminder of our requests, our thankfulness, our praise... Scripture in the book of Revelation implies that in the last days the prayers of the Saints are collected in bowls and turned into incense to be presented before the throne- a sweet smelling gift- an offering of thanks.
I find myself at a new season where I need to pray and believe for bigger things, yet despite all the testimonies of His provision in my life- big and small- my faith is weak. So I wrote out this testimony to remind myself of God's faithfulness, His provision, and how much He loves to bless His children. I need to always keep in my minds eye a picture of my sweet smelling, never-ending prayers, and trust that God know's what's best and that His answer will always be right on time.
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28
"And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people." Rev. 5:8
