ANSWERED PRAYER

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Yesterday I met with the local Boy Scout Troop.  They have a very nice scout hut provided by the church.  They were on a weekend camping experience.  There was a nice campfire going and the assistant scout master was doing a nice job frying up some onions over strategically placed coals.  He was obviously a practiced outdoor chef.

The Scout Master gathered the scouts together and gave me an opportunity to speak to them about canoeing and camping.  I was a bit nervous but over time I have learned that nervous just means that something important is happening in life.  The Scouts unanimously voted to go canoeing, and the Scout Masters and I had another planning meeting in the Scout Hut.  We committed to two upcoming outings and I said, “You are an answer to prayer.”  I experienced the necessity to speak God's name because I had prayed to God about this moment, and felt an overwhelming desire to acknowledge God.  What surprised me is what happened next.  The Scout Master spoke and the other two men affirmed with their nods and their whole beings.  He said, “You are an answer to prayer.”  My soul was full.

Life is not a Hollywood movie.  The climaxes are not so predictable and they are never final.  Something happened in my life that was meaningful, but there was no choir of angels, celestial fireworks, or a voice from heaven saying, “It is finished.”  The boys went back to their board games, basketball games, and a future that promised all the pizza they can eat.  I was off in my pickup to meet the family for dinner and soon more concerned about traffic and the security of my canoe on the headache rack.  Yet, something had happened, there was an answer to prayer, the next step to accomplishing a vision, the weight of responsibility for what would come next.

I am confused with people who tell me they have never had an experience with God when I know that God speaks to us all the time.  Perhaps it is the expectation of what that means.  Do people really believe if God answers a prayer all our problems will be solved, the uncertainties of life will disappear, we will never need to ask God for anything again?  Everything is open ended and life is without end.  Life is more about the path we travel.  I am thankful to not be alone.  It is a wilderness faith and it makes all the difference in the world.  God answered my prayer and I was an answer to prayer.  If I want fireworks, I'll go to a movie or stop by the stand where if I buy one and I get four free.

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