Raking the lawn. In March. Not exactly on my bucket list.
But there I was, scooping up twigs, leaves, branches, and pinecones— airborne flotsam from a recent windstorm. Dumping yet another load of yard waste into the trash can, I happened upon a neighbor’s yard.
He and his wife have a perfect lawn, and they’re genuinely nice neighbors. Over the years, we’ve gotten to know them. We’ve prayed for them and even treated them to dinner on a couple of occasions. For years, we’ve been praying that Christ would save them. Yet nothing seems to be happening, despite our efforts. And that’s frustrating.
As I raked up more debris, prickly pinecones poked my hands, while the thought of my neighbors poked my soul. The truth is, it feels like we always initiate almost any kind of conversation. Maybe they merely tolerate us. Maybe they wish we would back off. Perhaps we should. After all, my prayers seem to have about as much value as the riffraff on my lawn.
“It’s just not working, God,” I informed the Almighty. “I guess it’s time to give up.” At that precise moment, this neighbor of mine pulled into his driveway, shouting a greeting in my direction.
I did not walk—I ran over to the guy and shook his hand.
We were talking for less than one minute when my neighbor said, “You know, Jon, we should get together as couples. Maybe dinner or something?”
(And right about there, I felt less than one inch tall, spiritually). Time to confess my unbelief.
So, what did we learn, class? It’s easy—shockingly, horribly easy—to sell God short. Resist the temptation. God is on the job—even when we don’t see it.
Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
—Matthew 7:7,8
