By Barbara Higdon
Recently, my Sunday School class committed to pray at a specific time of day for a member who has suffered a long-term, debilitating medical condition with no apparent relief for years.
On prayer day, I, too, had a medical problem and called my doctor’s office. I was put on hold and had to wait through minute after minute of horrible music interrupted by recordings telling me how valuable I am and how much they want to help me. Yeah, right.
My appointed prayer time came and the phone continued to tell me how hard they were working to take care of me. I found myself wanting to throw the phone at the wall!
Instead, while still on hold, I began to pray for my friend, remembering how much longer her medical need has caused her suffering and how frayed her and her family’s patience must be. Despite the annoying announcements, my prayer time took a surprising turn. As I kept asking God to give her healing, I was able to thank Him for the lessons in patience I still need and receive daily.
“However much we may know God, the great lesson to learn is that at any minute He may break in. We are apt to overlook this element of surprise, but God never works in any other way.” Oswald Chambers