I'm sure I won't get this story exactly right, but hopefully it will still help me make my point. I think this happened when my youngest nephew, Will, was in first grade. That year his class would be going to a different playground at recess. Will was very excited about this prospect and eager to see the "new" playground. He is a very active little boy and loves to be outside. From the very beginning of the school term, Will asked his teacher almost every day whether or not they would get to go the playground. For several days, and various reasons it was not to be.
Will was persistent - he kept asking. Finally, the day came! The teacher took them to the new playground for recess and Will's anticipation was well worth it. It was wonderful! Mr. Will was quite happy with the new playground and with himself! He could not wait to tell his Mom and Dad when he got home.
That afternoon at home Will told his parents, "We got to go to the playground today and it was all my fault!" He was so proud of himself. Of course, what he was trying to say was he was the reason they got to go to the playground. His class finally got to go because of his persistence in asking. At least, that's the way he saw it. Will wasn't taking blame for anything when he said it was his fault. He was claiming credit for it!
This reminds me of the parable Jesus told in Luke 18:1-8. It is the parable of the persistent woman and the unrighteous judge. Christ says "there was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man." And there was a woman --a widow in that city who came to him seeking justice. For a while, the judge had no interest in helping this woman. When he finally decided to do so - it was because of the woman's "continual coming" (v.5). The judge granted her petition "lest she weary me." (again v.5)
Jesus went on to say if this unjust judge gave the woman justice because she asked repeatedly, God would surely answer those who "cry day and night unto Him." (Luke 18:7) God wants us to pray to Him. He wants us to be persistent in the requests we make to Him. Luke says in verse 18:1 the reason Jesus told this parable was to teach "men ought always to pray, and not to faint." I think we can understand then that God does not want us to give up if a prayer is not answered the first time we petition Him for something. God wants us to be like the lady who continued to go before the judge. He wants us to be persistent; like Will was with his school teacher.
This parable teaches we should never give up on God. He sees the bigger picture. He knows when the right time is to answer our prayer. He knows what is best for us. He wants us to trust Him; but to continue to pray. When my oldest son, Adam graduated with his teaching degree, I prayed he would get a teaching job. He applied and was in close running for three different positions. Each time I prayed he would get the job. He didn't. He actually ended up going to work in a factory for a while and was beginning to think perhaps he wasn't meant to teach after all. But I kept praying Adam would get a teaching position.
Finally, almost out of the blue - a school called him in for an interview. It was the fourth time we prayed for a particular job. This time God said yes! And looking back, I see now this is the job God wanted Adam to have all along. He is doing well and enjoys being in the classroom. I know he is an asset to the high school he is with. God knew what was best for Adam. We didn't. He said no (or wait) three times. I wonder what would have happened if we had given up and stopped praying for a teaching position for him? I don't know. But I truly feel God had a hand in this situation all along. I believe that with all my heart.
Sometimes God does say no. Trust Him. He may be preparing you for something better. Sometimes we may think our answer is no, and later we realize it was not no -- it was just not yet. Trust Him. He knows what is best. Keep praying. Whatever situation you are begging Him to help you with - don't stop. He will bless you. He will help you. The help may come in a way you never imagined it would. You may not even realize you are experiencing the answer right away. Then at some point, you will know. You will understand what God's will was for you in that situation. Then perhaps you can share with someone about how richly God blessed you. You will be able to tell them "God answered my prayer, and it was all my fault!"
We serve an awesome God. He loves His children. He will bless us as we pray to him. Never stop praying and never stop trusting God cares for you and He knows what is best.
Christ above all things,
Robin
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