I get to play interior designer at my job and it’s quite fun. Today I wished I had a few things on hand to place in one of our units but didn’t: a tall plant and something to place on a skinny table behind the couch.
As I walked some trash to the dumpster, I was pleasantly surprised to see a standing lamp with a sign saying, “Free, to a good home. It works too!” Hm, that isn’t exactly what I was looking for but that might just fit the theme! I carried the lamp into the living room and though it wouldn’t sit on the table behind the couch, it fit the room! I placed it behind the couch so it wouldn’t look like the couch was sticking out for no reason – which was also why I wanted something to place on the table behind the couch (design talk – hope you enjoy).
When I found the lamp, I looked a little to the right and there was a beautiful tall tropical plant.. in plain view! I DID just wish for a tall plant! I had this tug and pull in my heart and mind. It was filthy. Perhaps that’s why there was no sign saying it’s free and needs to go to a good home. No good home wants a filthy plant! I can try spraying it down but there’s a big chance all the dust and dirt won’t come off. Should I walk it all the way back to the unit and use the hose? What if it doesn’t work and I have to carry it all the way back to the dumpster?! Maybe I can use someone else’s hose that’s closer to the dumpster so I don’t have to walk it as far. It’s a community complex…… well that doesn’t feel right. That’s when I decided to bring the standing lamp over first.
Well with nothing to lose (Free.99!) except labor and the possibility of getting (really) dirty, I carried the plant to the hose outside our unit (I’m such a good girl). Much much promise of a beautiful tree laid beneath all that filth. I pressure washed the heck out of that tree and 15 minutes later, it looked fresh and green!
Now would you look at that. That tree went through a serious transformation! I placed it in the sun to dry, poured out the water accumulated in the pot, and wiped off the remaining dirt on the leaves.
This tree replaced the other tree in the living room, and the other tree got bumped into the bedroom (where this tree supposed to go). It was too beautiful to not be in the living room – and it fit the Western theme!
When you ask God a question, do you ever second-guess His response? Sometimes we wonder, “Is this Him? Is this me?” Sometimes we let our logic or reason lead the way instead of waiting for his response, like I did. Sometimes we don’t steward all the voices in our head coming from different places which can also cause confusion.
I wished for a tall tree and God provided a tree. However, looking at all that filth caused my logic to kick in and second-guess myself. Looking back (especially right after washing all the filth off), I clearly see that this tree was an answer to my wish!
Another thing to note: I never prayed for or asked for this tree; I simply wished for it and God heard me. Isn’t He the sweetest? He hears you!!
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
John 10:27 (NKJV)
Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Psalm 25:4-5 (NKJV)
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
I hope this little story encourages you! Make your wishes and say your prayers, then wait for His response. God is a God who answers. He isn’t ignoring you. He hears you. He may or may not answer you in the manner or the timing that you’d prefer or expect. Wait patiently for His response. He keeps things interesting!
Until next week y’all.
Much ❤,
Amy
