An Answer to a Prayer

Last year I had prayed to God  to "give me a voice."  At that time I was feeling shut in, not able to communicate as I would like to.  I felt I had something to say but no way of saying it.  Also fear. . .the kind of fear you feel when you stand in front of a group of people to speak.  So I prayed to God to give me the voice that I needed.

A few days later at work, I was offered a promotion - general manager.  This would put me in charge of everyone in the office.  I really could not believe it.  I thought, "This is not the 'voice' that I had been thinking of, but perhaps this is God answering my prayer."  After all, to lead others you have to have a voice!

I dived into this new position with excitement and enthusiasm.  Excited for this new opportunity but also excited that God had answered my prayer.  My excitement and enthusiasm did not last long.  As the months passed, I realized that I did not have a voice after all.  Most decisions were not mine to make.  My co-workers did not take kindly to their peer now being the 'boss.'

At the same time I was struggling to find meaning and answers to what I was doing at work, I became more involved in church.  I always loved to sing, so I was invited to join the praise team.  In August, I was asked if I would like to assist Karen in teaching Sunday School for the upcoming year - I was thrilled!  I found the best days of my week were Sundays and Wednesday nights (praise team practice night).  In the fall, I helped to create a new website for the church.  Learning that we are called to be a witness to the works of the Lord, I added this blog to the site so that others can share their stories.

I decided in December that I was not equipped to be a general manager.  It was a hard request to make, but I asked to go back to my previous position and part time hours as the marketing director.  In all honesty, I should have declined the position when it was first offered. . .I knew in my heart then that it was not what I should be doing.  But I thought God was answering my prayer and I needed to follow Him.

Just this past Sunday, February 19th, in a discussion with the children about the parable of the lost sheep, I realized that God had answered my prayer after all.  When we are lost sometimes the path back is not a straight and easy one.  There may be lessons to learn along the way.  We can pray for the answer, but what we think is the answer is not necessarily so.  God does show us the way back in a way and time that is best for us. 

Here is the voice that God has given me:  I am a member of the praise team singing out praise to the Lord every Sunday (and every day), I teach Sunday School to children where I learn more myself each week, I was asked to co-chair the Witness Ministry which is called to share the good news to others - what an amazing voice to have!  Some prayers are answered over time.  I am quite confident that God is still at work on this one for me because I still have much to learn about having a voice.

God does answer prayers.

Jean.