God Answers Prayer (just in time)
Dad was one of the hardest working men I have ever known. He was a full time pastor and he also worked as a carpenter to help support our large family. I never heard him complain about the long hours. In spite of working long, hard days, he always seemed to make time for family, church members, and folks in need. He lived what he believed.
Mom stayed at home taking care of us kids. She was faithful and supportive of all of dad's efforts. She was highly regarded by everyone who met her as a kind and gentle person. She always prepared home cooked meals for us and kept our home neat and clean. Some of my earliest memories of mom are of her praying.
Growing up, we were a very close family and we, while never rich, rarely had to do without because of dad's work ethic. There came a time, though, when dad became very ill and could not work for a while. The church he pastored at that time was very small and really didn't offer much financial support.
Just a few weeks into this financial crisis, mom got bitten by a poisonous snake. She also was very ill and was confined to her bed for several days.
As our resources dried up and groceries disappeared from the cabinet, mom continued to tell us kids that God knew all about our situation and that He would take care of us. We soon were completely out of money and food. We survived for a few days on some canned black-eyed peas that we found in the basement.
Mom was considering our plight, when a thought crossed her mind. What kind of God do you serve? Inspired by faith in what she knew God had done for us in the past, mom got a pen and paper and began writing out a grocery list. We had no money to pay for any groceries, so this seemed to be the height of foolishness.
Looking over the very long list of items that we needed, mom said a simple prayer that God would once again meet our needs as promised in the Bible.
While she sat there looking at this list, there was a knock on the door. Two ladies from a local church stood there smiling. They had brought us some groceries. As mom tearfully unloaded the sacks of groceries, she was struck by the awesome reality that the two ladies had purchased every single item on the list--nothing more, nothing less!
God still answers prayer!
Dad has gone on to his reward. Mom still faithfully reminds all of us kids (and grandkids) that God is faithful and that He will provide.