My Prayers Answered | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: My Prayers Answered | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marlene MCPherson
11/04/21
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No amount of careful planning could prepare me for how the Lord answered prayers! As a committed Christian I felt happy living with my mother and sisters, my dream job as an educator was realized but, all of a sudden, I felt the need for companionship. This need was strange and the desire was intense. How did I address this issue?

I sought my Women’s President advice. She simply said “Pray” I was floored. This answer was unexpected! I felt devastated and lonely. How could she as a woman of God speak like this? She knew I’d knowledge of prayers. I questioned some of my church sisters and it was a hush, hush conversation, just like when the term “sex” is used. Soon I realized that the question of relationship was not spoken about nor addressed in any sermon. For the first time I was disappointed with the church.

I prayed earnestly to the Lord. I cried out to Him. I resolved not conform to the world’s standards but to be guided by the Lord’s principles and promises. Answers were gleaned from the stories of Ruth and Boaz and Abraham’s instructions to his trusted servant whom he sent to acquire a wife for Isaac. I was also encouraged by Psalm 37:4 KJV “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he will give thee the desires of thine heart,” and in chapter 27:14 "Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and he shall strengthen thy heart: wait, I say on the Lord.”

Weekly Youth for Christ meetings were another source of help as a number of young people from different denominations assembled for praise, discussions, debates and exciting activities but again I faced another dilemma; Whenever I saw couples in similar t-shirts, held hands I felt jealous. This kind of behavior on my part was unacceptable so again I prayed and confessed my faults and held on the words in 1Peter5:7 KJV “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

I saw the need to be more involved in God‘s work although I was a Sunday school teacher and the Representative Sponsor for Interschool Christian Fellowship (ISCF) at my workplace. I did a course in Child Evangelism and established a Good News Bible club in my community. Some of the children made decisions for Christ and I was elated. This amazing experience allowed me to interface with different members of the community who had children.

One of the activities for the children was a trip to Hope Botanical Gardens. A little girl from the class asked me to seek permission from her mother to accompany us on the trip. I was acquainted with the family so I agreed.
I went as promised. “Good morning Mother Willie.”
“Glad to have you and you’ve come at the right time.”
“I’m late, breakfast is finished” I joked.
All the occupants laughed. The empty trays on the floor were evidence and the lingering scent whispered the tale of ackee and codfish served with roasted breadfruit.
“Meet Matt, a family friend,” said Mother Willie.
“Nice meeting you.”
He just looked up and smiled, without a spoken word.
I turned to Mother Willie; “Is he saved?”
She did not respond but raised quizzical eyebrows. I continued “How comes you have such a nice young man who does not know Christ as Lord and Savior?”
“Hmm”, she beamed.
“I would like your permission for your daughter to be on the Child Evangelism trip this Saturday”
“Once she behaves, I will send her” this response was not unfamiliar coming from Mother Willie because she was not convinced that her daughter could make a decision for Christ at her age.
“I am sure she will surprise you, thanks, I look forward to her coming” Then I left.

Some months later I received a letter of invitation from Matt for a date. He was sweetly saved and this was a turn of new events in my life. We are now happily married for 35 years with two adult sons and two grandchildren.

I can say without a doubt my prayers were answered and it is summed up in the words of the Psalm 30:5KJV “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

Non- fiction 716 words

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