GAP

You know those silly little acronyms that you’ve grown up saying and knowing? Like TGIF (Thank God it’s Friday), or BYOB (Bring your own bananas, I know that’s not the real one, but it was for a banana split party I went to in college!)

For Christians, there are lots of cute acronyms.

F.R.O.G – Fully Rely on God

A.S.A.P. -Always Say a Prayer

P.U.S.H. – Pray Until Something Happens

T.G.I.F. – Thank God I’m Forgiven

B.I.B.L.E. – Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Yes, I know they sound silly, but when the pressure is on, they do come in handy because if you remember them, they really help out.

Today, I want to share an acronym that popped into my head today. But first,  a little back story:

Chris and  I have been praying for the past few weeks that God would help us find a cheap tiller or provide funds for a new one. Last year, we weren’t able to do a garden due to my killer migraines. After searching around, one of the cheapest brand new tillers cost at least $400. And we are a lot like most Americans in the fact that we don’t have a whole lot of extra cash floating around. What? You think money grows on trees?! (And there’s my mother in me.) So we checked the newspaper and found that there were 4 tillers for sale! So I waited until the weekend to call to inquire about the tillers because we were going to yard sales and would be in the area to look at the tillers then. Every single one of those tillers were sold. It was a little disappointing, but I knew that God would answer our prayers one way or another.

I talked with Chris and he said “If we don’t get a tiller within the next week and a half, I will dig up the garden with a shovel and hoe.” And although I appreciated his willingness to basically kill himself so that we could have a garden, I really thought that if we didn’t find a cheap one, we should get a new one.

Chris told me that he would dig up the ground not even half a week ago. Today, we had a meeting in Zanesville, and on the way back from Zanesville, I was checking out the local sales on Facebook. I scrolled 3 posts down and lo and behold, there it was. A Troybilt tiller for $300. I told Chris about it and he told me to send a message about it and ask if we could go take a look at it. So we ended up going over and looking at the tiller. It just turns out that the people that were selling it were a couple of Chris’s previous customers. He had repaired their refrigerator some time ago.  I talked with the wife about life while the men talked business. It was a lovely visit and I didn’t even know these people! It was fun! Chris tried out the tiller and it worked great. We ended up getting it for $260!!!! Which is great! We looked it up on amazon and brand new, it would have been $1200. THE LORD IS GOOD! We stayed and chatted for a while longer and the man of the house said “we also have a hand plow. I was selling it for $50 but I’ll let you have it for $35. haha SOLD!

I tell you this story to tell you the acronym that I was reminded of today:

GAP – God Answers Prayers

We prayed for a garden, we prayed for a tiller. And God answered those prayers with a big “YES!” He doesn’t always answer with a yes. And He doesn’t always answer exactly when I might want Him to, but He’s always right and He’s always right on time.

Do not give up in praying to God. He can help you and he will. I’m not just talking about material things either. Just take a look at my migraines! What migraines, you ask? Exactly.

I cannot help but praise Him and thank Him for all he has done for us. He loves me like crazy and I love him too! Don’t forget to thank the Lord when He answers your prayers!

Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Our prayer and God’s mercy are like two buckets in a well; while one ascends, the other descends.  ~ Arthur Hopkins

What prayer has God answered for you lately?