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I have noticed that there are several prayers that are answered in a way that we would not choose to be answered in that way. Remember this post? For some of us the answer comes with such devastation that we may not even recognize it as an answer until several months or years down the road. Allow me to provide some examples.
I remember a sister in my home ward
who was always on the go. It seems she
spent many hours driving, serving, nurturing, what have you . . . constantly
assisting others but never herself. She
had a desire to spend more time for scripture study and prayed about it. When she threw out her back initially, I don’t
think she viewed it as an answer to her prayers. She had to stay off her feet for several
weeks which gave her the time to delve into the scriptures and form a routine. Not exactly a subtle answer, but an answer
nonetheless.
My dad had a series of strokes, each
had crippled him just a little more than the last. My brother Corey was struggling with his
testimony at the time and was angry with God for jeopardizing my dad’s
health. My prayerful dad of tremendous
faith explained his failing health as an answer to prayer. Not the way any of us would have wanted it to
go. I suppose sometimes God’s answer has
to be dramatic not only for ourselves but perhaps those that we are in contact
with.
Dad had been unhappy with his job for years and was looking for a way out without jeopardizing our financial security. My dad was young but was forced into a medical retirement. I think I would have rather had a healthy dad – but it made sense later on . . . much later on. He was able to collect social security not only for himself but my little sister as well. We spent more time together. We were able to see pieces of my dad’s personality that had been hidden prior to the strokes (see here)
Many prayers have been
answered during this pandemic – crazy answers that have provided strength to
some while others seem to have lost focus and have stopped praying if they ever
prayed at all. Each month has introduced
a new set of problems. This month has
been the “order” to reopen schools which has brought up many concerns,
conflicts and a new set of protests. I
have many friends who have done extensive research and have looked into other
options.
Schools along the west coast have
refused to reopen while other schools across the country prepare to reopen. One
friend who lives in another state recently received an answer to her prayers –
though I don’t suspect she has viewed it as such – at least not yet. She was in a horrible accident. She said it was her fault. She is grateful that there weren’t any
passengers and that no one was hurt. It
was a stupid accident (according to her) and she has been kicking herself about
the financial pain. She told me that she
will be keeping her children home because she doesn’t ever want to drive again.
She didn’t say it that way exactly, but that is how I interpreted it. Theoretically they live within walking
distance to the two schools involved – too close to be bused but still far
enough and across busy streets that she would rather drive them than worry
about potential injury due to neglectful drivers.
Prayers often come with a cost – not
always a financial one. Sometimes the
cost is the approval of others. For
example there have been several members who have converted to the church at the
risk of losing their family. There have
been some who have left the church who no longer receive support from their
families. How could a strain on a
relationship possibly be an answer to prayer?
I think if we look at our “burdens”
in relation to things we have prayed for we may have a better
understanding. We will also have these
incredible stories to share that others may learn. Answers to our prayers aren’t just solely for
us but for those around us that they may learn to explore trials of their own.
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