I remember one summer in particular... it was the month of July 1962 and Sister Simicatt was at our church running VBS (Vacation Bible School). It was on the last night of a two week run that I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. If you know what kind of person I am... then you know that I took this very seriously and believed with all my heart.
I learned during VBS that Jesus was real, he heard our prayers and he would always answer them. As I child it came so natural to just believe exactly that. So, When I went back to school and started first grade I put what I learned into action. I asked Jesus to help me with my tests which I was so afraid of and on a lighter side... I asked him to help me hit a home run when we played softball. I can tell you he answered those prayers everytime!
I've said all that to tell you about a very special time that will forever be at the core of my faith as a child and even as an adult. One day my mother told us she didn't know what she would do for lunch for us. Food wasn't as abundant back then in our family and my dad worked two jobs just to keep us above water. When I heard my mom say we didn't even have a loaf of bread for peanut butter and jelly it hit me... and I knew exactly what to do.
I went to my bedroom, knelt on the floor and asked Jesus for a loaf of bread. I was very specific with that prayer for some reason... and I asked him for a loaf of "Wonder Bread". I had loved the commercial on TV where this big white truck with multi-colored dots on it. When I had seen the bread in the store I had asked my mom to buy it, but she said it was to expensive and we needed the cheaper brand. So, if Jesus was going to supply our bread I knew he could afford Wonder Bread.
After my prayer I ran to look out the window, I was waiting for the Wonder Bread truck to drive into our driveway to deliver a loaf of bread. I waited a while... but he never came. So I went back and explained to Jesus more than praying to him, why we really needed bread. Again I went to the living room window and waited... the truck never came. This was the very first time I couldn't understand why Jesus didn't answer my prayer and I remember the sadness I had felt.
Soon after my mom asked me if I wanted to get the mail for her. This was a chore that I really enjoyed so out I ran to the mail box. I remember standing on tippy toes to open the little metal door... and when I did... THERE IT WAS... A LOAF OF BREAD... NOT JUST ANY BREAD EITHER.... IT WAS WONDER BREAD. Jesus had sent my Wonder Bread and it was the best bread I had ever tasted!
As a child, I learned a very valuable lesson... that I have had to recall many times in my teen years and as an adult. Jesus does answer our prayers... but He does it His way... and I shouldn't question how or when He will answer my prayers... I need to just trust that He will. I will also tell you He has never failed me... when the answers to my prayers don't come right away... or don't come as I expect them too... I trust that Jesus knows what is the best way to meet my needs.
I encourage you to trust Him for your needs also. Don't give up on praying... keep going back and don't think He isn't answering because He doesn't care... He is just teaching us that His ways are far better than our own. Remember: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Isaiah 55:8
Dear Jesus, I ask you to put peace in our hearts about the things we need and pray for. Help us to know you will answer and when you do it will be exactly what we need. Amen