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Recently I‘ve been reading Mark Batterson’s book, Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge.  He says when we make requests in prayer, we must leave the when and the how up to God.  I agree. And I’d like to add that by leaving the when and the how in God’s hands, we take the risk he may not answer in the way we expect. Sometimes, the surprise is wonderful. Other times, well…

May I invite you into my world for a bit, so I can share a story?  I’d like to start on Saturday of Labor Day weekend. About noon, I felt a twinge of pain in my back and hip. What had I done? I wasn’t certain, but whatever the cause, on Sunday morning I could hardly get out of bed. I cancelled my plans and resigned myself to spending the day sitting in a chair with an ice pack for company. 

On Monday, I was grateful it was warm enough to just slip on a pair of flip-flops because my back was too sore to bend over and put shoes on. I got in the car easily, but was a little slow getting out.  I thought of my mother, having difficulty getting in and out of a car, and unable to reach her feet. 

Over the next couple of weeks, the pain in my back eased. But then I was suddenly tired and just didn’t feel right. My digestion was upset. One night I was heading for choir rehearsal when I unexpectedly had to make a U-turn—toward home and the bathroom. When I told a friend about being late for rehearsal, she said I was having “old lady problems.” I wasn’t happy about her comment, but perhaps it was a bit prophetic.

The following day, I was dog-tired. In addition, a massage that was intended to help my back had temporarily aggravated it.  I mused that some days I feel like I’m 30, other days I feel like I’m really old. This was definitely a “feel like I’m 85” day.  And I didn’t like it.  Knowing I’d probably feel better in a few days, I thought how frustrating it would be to feel this way every day. I had empathy for those who are tired, stiff, and sore. 

Then it hit me. Wait a minute! This was an answer to prayer. You see, I’ve been on the exhausting front lines of eldercare in my family for many years. Along the way, I learned to have healthy boundaries (that’s good), but I also experienced some compassion burnout (not good)!  I had prayed about my attitude. And I think God was answering my prayers by re-booting my compassion. 

Since I keep a prayer journal, it was easy to see when I had specifically prayed about my attitude. It was August 30, Friday of Labor Day weekend.  The day before my back began hurting. The day I presumably tweaked my back. To be clear, I don’t believe God caused the back problems or the illness. But I do believe he allowed the combination of the two, which provided a teachable moment. I am grateful for the answer to prayer, even if it was a bit uncomfortable!  

An old adage from college days came to mind,  “Be careful what you pray for. You just might get it.” Yes, I thought as I winked at the heavens, and we have to leave the when and the how up to God.