One weekend, when I was home from college, I noticed my mother’s “Grace” print on our kitchen wall. The picture was of an old man with his hands folded, praying over a meager meal of bread and soup with what appeared to be a Bible on the table. The man in the picture looked humble and focused on his prayer, expecting God to listen. The picture seemed to say, “Humble yourself under God. Have faith that He is near, listening, and ready to help you.”
Every time I went into the kitchen that weekend, I wondered if I was praying to the Lord as earnestly as the man in the picture. Would I likely turn to God more often as my Savior, shepherd, provider, and peace if I had fewer worldly possessions and opportunities that distract me and take my attention and dependence away from Him?
My usual response to a problem was to lean on my understanding rather than pray first. We may look for solutions that give us what we want rather than need. As a result, we may go in a direction that could adversely affect us or others.
God’s plans are higher than ours. We can trust Him in confidence without knowing the outcome. When we seek and acknowledge Him, He guides us on His straight path. What wonderful, incredible love He has for us. When I hold my hands together in prayer, like the man in the picture, I like to envision my Lord’s nail-scarred hands cupped around mine as a reminder those scars were for me.
When you face a problem, stop and turn to the Lord. Pray for wisdom and guidance.
John Schliesser is a writer who is active in the prayer and prison ministries of his church. Since retirement from hospital administration, he has enjoyed helping his daughters with his nine grandchildren. Some of his activities include writing, working out, running, photography, and reading.