*Written by my mother, Judith B. Moravek, February 21, 2000.
When I first wrote this I changed the names, but here I will use the correct names. This is a true incident that our daughter DeLaine shared with us.
“Oh no, not again!” First it coughed then it sputtered. The van’s engine was acting up. DeLaine wondered if she and her three children would make it to Sunday School and if they did, would they be on time. Her husband was away for the day. He was asked to help with the church service at the local children’s home. He and DeLaine knew it wouldn’t be long before they would need to replace their old, well-worn mini van. It had served them well, but it was fast coming to the place of retirement. Perhaps this coming Spring they would be in a better position to get a newer van.
“I think we’d better pray for the van, guys,” nine-year-old Preston announced to his six-year-old brother Jonathan and his seven-year-old sister Alina. While their mother was trying to keep the van going, the three children bowed their heads and Preston offered up a prayer for help from The Lord. Amazingly, the van never cut out but kept right on chugging along. Although they arrived ten minutes late, they did arrive safely. God answered Preston’s prayer, which made him very happy.
A few days later, DeLaine gathered up her children for a visit to the dentist. “Okay, everybody in the van, we don’t want to be late for our dentist appointments.” The van started out fine and ran without any difficulty for a while. It was too soon, however, to think all was well. One sputter led to another then to another. “Oh, no!” DeLaine would have really been upset again if she hadn’t heard Jonathan behind her seat say, “Preston, do you think we should pray for the van?” Looking in the rearview mirror, DeLaine saw her three children bow their heads, as first Preston, then Jonathan, then finally Alina prayed. Peace and a smile replaced the frustration and a frown, as she thought, “I thank The Lord the van had a problem because it caused the children to pray and to trust God for an answer.”
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thess. 5:18
“…for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”
Matthew 6:8
Personal note: As I mentioned in a previous blog post, “The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving,” I’m so thankful that God’s Word says to be thankful in everything, not for everything. Realizing the difference will encourage your heart!
Quiet Contemplations 