One Answer To Prayer Turned Into Two

God's timing is rarely, if ever, our timing. Sure, there can be answers to prayers that turn up quickly. We've all heard stories, for example, of someone being short on rent and not knowing how they're going to make ends meet and then the amount that's needed shows up suddenly. We've all had some suddenlies happen in our walks with God but what about the prayers that go answered for years and years? When we've just about given up or seen no way for what feels impossible to be made possible?

Timing is everything when it comes to God and especially when we patiently wait for that timing to play out, no matter what shape it comes in. The exercise is not giving away our energy and focus on worry and fear. We waste so much time spinning around in our minds, causing our bodies stress, wondering how it's going to work out.

I've noticed a funny thing about God's timing and how sometimes the answers to our prayers can be tied to other people's and that's why things might take longer than we'd like. Those domino's have to line up just so.

A quick story:

Many years ago I was looking to move to a new part of town where I could also rent a nearby office. For me, it was a pretty big move and a drastic change of scenery and lifestyle.

I had full faith that God would deliver the right solution for what I felt was a next step but I was getting antsy as I had a hard deadline to move. By nature, I am a planner, trained from a young age to forecast potential stresses and layout a schedule accordingly to avoid undue duress. I know realize that is actually a trauma response but it's served me well in my career and personally so I'm not complaining though coming by those skills in such a way isn't ideal.

God’s always got all the inside info, much better than if I tried to orchestrate things myself or force decisions that don't feel right because I'm getting antsy for a solution.

I was learning to lean into faith and surrender and I largely absolved myself of the stress but panic would still subtly creep in like a tiny electric current and before I knew it I was buzzing and wrestling with all the what-about’s and what-if's.

After looking at several places that did not fit the bill, I finally found an apartment building that felt like the perfect spot for me and saw one open apartment that was almost what I wanted. I passed on applying and asked to be notified of others that met the specifications I was praying around. I wanted a particular floor, building, layout, even a specific wing. It was a large complex but the exact apartment style I wanted was only a few and there were none available for the foreseeable future.

I was starting to sweat a little. It was now less than four weeks out and no leases signed.

My God conversations started to sound like this:

Me: So, I trust you but this is starting to stress me out a bit. What if nothing comes up?

God: It’ll be fine. Keep packing.

Me: Okay, will do...but, really, any indication when everything will be wrapped up?

God: Keep packing. It’ll be fine. I know some people.

Can’t argue with that one.

So, I kept packing and moving forward full steam knowing I needed to have faith, trust, and patience and that God was working it out somehow that I couldn't see yet. Besides, God has the ultimate rolodex. There’s no earthly competing.

Then, three weeks prior to move out date, I suddenly got a phone call from my friendly property contact at the building who was aware of my increasingly tight timeline.

“I think I have the perfect apartment. They just put in their notice and need to move very quickly. Technically we aren’t supposed to show before it’s empty but they’re in the middle of their lease and finding a new sub-let would help them. They’ve agreed to let you have a walk-thru this week. Just come over after hours and I’ll take you.”

I had a good feeling. It was the exact layout, the floor, the right side of the building that I wanted but time would tell if it had what I wanted most – a view. The other apartment I'd seen stared at the side of a building and that felt like looking at a metaphorical wall brought to life.

As soon as I walked in, I knew in my Spirit this was my new home. As we toured the apartment the tenant of the house shared their situation. Her husband was a working architect in graduate school. They had two small children and space was tight. Some type of family housing on campus had suddenly opened up that would be less expensive and more room.

“Suddenly opened up,” caught my attention right away.

How amazing. I remember internally marveling at the information being revealed under the layer of casual chit-chat. How clearly this was God demonstrating his ultimate power and authority to answer not just one prayer but two at the same time.

I did an internal happy dance seeing God’s fingerprints all over this space for me. It was exactly what I wanted and within my budget and then, I saw them, Bibles and study guides on a bookshelf.

I almost laughed out loud. They’re Christian too, I thought.

I so wanted to shout that out and say, me too! Isn’t this so God? But there was company present and I wasn’t yet at a place in my walk where I would.

But, I saw that and I knew He was at work, not just for me but also for them.

I stood in front of that bookshelf and silently said, "OK God, yes, I definitely see you. You are here and this is a blessed space. Thank you for your grace and perfect provision."

Let’s examine the hard facts of events: The campus apartment suddenly opening was an answer to prayer for this family that created an answer to prayer for me. Our two prayers, with individual paths to suit unrelated needs, became directly dependent and inter-connected for each to be fulfilled.

Not only that, whomever suddenly had to move out of the campus apartment might have had their own answer to prayer delivered by a sudden vacancy or a scholarship to a different school. They would never know that by them moving out of that campus apartment suddenly that it led to two other prayers being answered.

Such is God; there is no better master planner.

It was then and always will be for me a mighty reminder that God is always at work on our behalf and we just don't ever know what other prayers he might be answering along with ours.

Timing is everything and God’s timing is perfect.

Glory to God, forever and ever.

Prayer about God's timing:

God you are full of wonder and, oh, how you love to surprise me.

As a parent giving a child a gift so do you enjoy my delight at your provision.

I pray you help me have patience as I wait for your perfect timing.

Fill my heart with knowing that you want what's best for me.

Help me to lay aside my worries and discomfort and instead rest in you.

Help me not wrestle you in handing things over and instead move in trust and obedience.

I pray for your discernment and wisdom on what to surrender and when to take action.

You always work things for our good and your Word does not return void.

I am your child and you care for me.

You see me and hear my prayers.

I thank you for your faithfulness and lean in to your timing and not mine.

Renew in me fruits of patience and perseverance.

Thank you for the opportunity lean on you for answers and draw closer to you.

I praise you and love you.

In Jesus might name I pray.