Be specific

I have spent alot of time with my mom lately. Not knowing how to drive and being retired, I try to get her out of the house and moving. However, this morning I went to visit my father in law. He will be 97 years old in a few days. He told me yesterday that he needed to get his license renewed and he was going to a local place in Humble. Knowing the chaos, long lines and younger generation, I offered to pick him up and take him.

I had a morning meeting and when I left, I discovered I was very low on gas. "No big deal" I thought, I'm just going a short distance and there is a gas station at the corner. I went to pick up my father in law and once there, we decided it would be easier and less chaotic to go to another location a little further away but we risked it for the convenience. We got in my car and hit the road. We began to chat and cut up. He was very concerned that he might have problems with the vision portion of the test. He does not like those machines you have to look into. I on the other hand, was concerned that the needle on my gas gauge was going beyond the red line. I wouldn't dare mention it to my father in law and I dreaded the idea of having to call my husband since he is a "fill it at half a tank" kind of guy and I have been cautioned of that often.

So, I did the next best thing....I prayed. I knew my father in law was praying that he could read the numbers on the machine. I on the other hand prayed "God please provide a gas station." We continued to drive with me getting more and more nervous. The thought of running out of gas with a chivalrous 97 year old scared me. He would protect me to the end and would offer to walk in order to get me some gas. I drove and drove and then I saw it. That golden icon the shape of a shell. Yes! Finally gas.

Well, the closer I got the more evident the discovery...the gas station was on the other side of the freeway and there was no crossover to the other side. We were on a portion of road where there were no exits only crossovers. So my first response...another prayer "God can you give me a gas station on my side of the freeway?"

My father in law on the other hand was praying that he could read the numbers. We travelled a short distance, found a gas station on my side of the road and proceeded to the license office. His prayer was answered! He passed with flying colors and said the numbers were more clear than ever.

Too many times we pray so generic and general. God did answer my prayer-just the way I prayed it! He gave me a gas station. In the future, I think I will be more specific.

Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. Psalm 86:6-7