The sermon I heard on Sunday was about many things, one of which is the idea that God never comes early. He often comes right in the nick of time, so he gets the glory, not us.
My sister Autumn and I were talking about this idea because she has really needed a new roommate. Her old one moved out earlier in the month because she was leaving town. Autumn has been doing everything she can think of to find a new roommate. Every person has fallen through, and as the 1st come closer and closer, she has been wondered how she is going to pay the rent without a roommate.
I had some quiet time at Autumn's apartment before I went to church on Sunday, and I was thinking about this problem. I remembered a sermon I heard a few years ago that has always stuck with me. It was about manna. The pastor talked about how we often pray for things that we can see. We pray for a husband when we see some eligible bachlors, or for money when we think our grandparents might give it to us, or for friendship when we start hanging out with some new people. The pastor pointed out though, that it is hard to pray for something that you cannot see an answer to. How could the people of Israel know that God was going to send them manna? They didn't even know what manna was. So what did they do, they complained and bickered. Oh yeah, I can identify with the Israelites. Even though it's often disguised, I'm a complainer. I have very little faith for what I can't see. I like security and control or I quietly start to panic.
After church Autumn and I were talking about the concepts in these two sermons and we agreed that God would probably provide for her at the last minute. We prayed that God would send her a roommate like manna from heaven.
Autumn called me today and told me about how she had interviewed 2 potential roommates today. The first one was a 19 year old pot smoker with no job. She hasn't had many bites on her Craigslist add lately so she was thinking, "this might be my only option." Then she interviewed another girl. She is a Christian, but like Autumn she sounds very honest and open about her struggles. She likes having people over but isn't a partier. She is organized but laid back. She has money to pay rent. It looks like manna... it tastes like manna... it just might be manna. Autumn took her down the office to fill out the paperwork. It turned out the office was closing in 5 minutes. If Autumn would have come 5 minutes later she could not have gotten the girl's credit check done in time for her to move Friday, thus paying rent. Oh yeah, and the girl needed to find a place by the weekend too. It sounds like a rainfall of manna.
Well I have been praying a lot lately and let me just say, God is never early, but He always shows up.
You can find the sermon I heard on Sunday here:
Click on the sermon on Acts
http://ccshoreline.org/messages/index.php?id=681
P.S. I am sort of scared to say this because it could all shift back tomorrow but Rachel and I had a great day. It hasn't been a perfect week but it has been sooooooo much better!
3 comments:
Hi Brooke,
I woke up early this morning and thought of you. I went to your blog and read through all the latest posts. Just wanted to tell you that my heart was warmed and in these early morning hours, I'm praying for you. Love, Susan
ahh. i loved reading this post as i've been chewing on that passage for the past 6 months! one thing that's also been standing out to me is the fact that i don't have to store up manna. it rots and wastes away in my feeble attempts to hold on and take care of myself so i don't need God again. i always try to do that, even when he's shown me over and OVER again that he is faithful! i love that he gives manna for the day - for the moment. nothing more and nothing less, but so glorious!
I love what Rachel had to say...Rachel you are so right!
Thanks Cookie for sharing~It hit the spot. I'm still keeping you and your little Rachel in my prayers. Keep up the good fight. I love you,Wendy
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