Have you ever had a time in your life when you wanted something so badly, you prayed and prayed until you ran out of words? As a result, you didn’t get what you asked for? Reflecting on such moments can lead us to unexpected realizations. Recently, my husband and I found ourselves sitting on the back porch, indulging in our weekly ‘back porch sittin,’ and it sparked a conversation that brought forth a flood of memories and gratitude.
During our reminiscing, my husband commented that where we are now is not anywhere he could have thought or imagined. He was hoping for a specific job and career path, but that never materialized.
In our younger days, we made it a common practice to write down our goals for the next 5, 10, 20 years. But even in our wildest goals and dreams, we wouldn’t come close to where God has brought us!
I can remember praying so hard for some things to happen. Prayers that didn’t get answered, and I found myself really disappointed; dare I say a little upset with God for not answering my prayers and giving me my desires of my heart.
Looking back, reminiscing with my husband, I am so incredibly glad God doesn’t give me what I wanted, but gave me what was best! He knows, just like He stated,
”My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.“ Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT
So, the next time I pray for something and my prayers go unanswered, I want to be reminded of the time my husband and I reminisced on our back porch realizing that God’s ways are always higher, better, grander than we could ever hope for or imagined.
As we navigate through life’s uncertainties and disappointments, it’s comforting to know that God’s plans for us are far greater than our own. Looking back on our journey, my husband and I are filled with gratitude for the blessings we’ve received, even when they didn’t align with our initial desires. So the next time prayers seemingly go unanswered, let’s remember that God’s ways are always higher, better, and grander than we could ever hope for or imagine.
Take a moment today to reflect on your own journey and the times when prayers went seemingly unanswered. How have those experiences shaped your faith and perspective? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s encourage one another in our journeys of trust and gratitude.
6 thoughts on “I Choose Today to Remember”
The most amazingly wonderful thing about prayer is knowing that God hears every single one of them and gives us HIS perfect answer, whether it is yes, no or wait. I just have to trust Him. And in that trust, I find rest.
Amen. Finding rest in knowing He is sovereign and is trustworthy, is so important yet comforting. I love this. Thank you for sharing your insight. ❤️
Sweet words and testimony! Years ago I had an epiphany- asking God to give us the desires of our heart, is asking God to place His plans-His desires inside us- not granting us “our” desires but rather the action of “giving us” His. Love to you my friend
Yes, I believe the Holy Spirit planted that truth in your heart and all of our hearts. Your insight on giving way to that truth is inspiring! Thank you for your encouraging words. Love to you my friend ❤️
Amen! Thank you for this.
First, love that you and your husband sit out on the back porch and have these times to talk about what the Lord has done and is doing.
Thank you for this needed daily reminder about God’s ways and thoughts being higher than ours. And when we know He knows from eternal past what He will do and know that whatever that is, He will do what will most glorify Himself! And it’s for our good! So, when answers are different than asked for we know that the though it may be tough in the moment we have peace and joy to know that our desires were met because when we are the Lords our desires are His desires. Psalm 37:4 “delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Amen! We just keep delighting ourselves in the Lord, His desires become our desires. Love that! Thank you for sharing your insight with us!