The Apple

Last Sunday as I sat in church looking over the bulletin, I got excited! It was our turn to be on the list of “Prayer Families” for the week. First, let me give you the history on my understanding of the “Prayer Family”. As a new Christian, I truly had no idea what it was or meant besides praying. Later, I assumed that if you were listed, it was your duty to pray for everyone in the church that week. Needless to say, I was not looking forward to being on “the list”. That would be a big job! Finally, I found out that people were supposed to be praying for your family that week. Okay, this was much better!

So for YEARS, I thought our Pastor was so amazing! It seemed many times as we went through trials, he was so kind to put us down as one of the “Prayer Families” that week. His sermons seemed to speak directly to me as well. Again, YEARS, have gone by. One Sunday, I thanked him specifically for putting us on the list. His response was to thank God. Apparently, this list is alphabetical.

I now understand the list. Isn’t God awesome? (I still think my pastor is pretty awesome too.) But, there’s even MORE understanding I have to learn. Let’s go back to me being excited last Sunday . . . . . I was looking forward to the week. I was sharing with a friend on Monday that I was looking forward to my week because we were one of the “Prayer Families” and it’s always a good week. And she smiled and said, “Yes, and you know you’ll be prepared for whatever comes up.” UH OH! Never thought of it that way!! Thanks Michelle!

Tuesday morning my daughter and I headed out to start our day. Three minutes into our trip, I hit a deer. Long story short, the police officer had to finish this poor deer off right in front of us!! Emma heard the gunshot but thought it was a firework - THANK GOD. The officer wrote up a report and waited for someone to get the deer. I was able to go on my way BEFORE my son rode by on his bike and the school bus went by - THANK GOD. I can’t imagine how the kids would have teased him - “Hey Jesse, your mom killed a deer.” And, I was not hysterical - THANK GOD.

I was heading to my bible study. I blogged earlier that it was when I got there I learned of Lisa’s death. After this start to the day, I was able to enter the classroom with a smile and wait for the children to arrive - THANK GOD. If my friend had not pointed out that I would be “prepared“, I think that day and week would have gone much differently!!!

Later that morning as we listened to lecture, my co-leader ate an apple. It smelled SO good. She told me afterwards that it was a new apple and that it WAS so good. It was a Honey Crisp apple. I made a mental note to be sure and get some at the store. During this past week, I often thought about that apple. I actually craved it. We were out of apples at home so that made the craving even worse! I think I even told Derek about this apple.

By Friday, I still had not fed this apple craving of mine. I headed to a seminar in Chelsea, MI - wherever that was. I wasn’t driving and had no kids, what did I care? That night Kelsey and I , my comrade in direct sales, stayed at our division manager‘s home in Michigan. I had never been there. And it was the first time I had met Jan and her daughter, Christina. It was so homey! A farm that had been in their family for 150 years. Much better than a hotel! Anyways, as three of us (Kelsey, Christina & myself) stayed up late talking, Jan popped into the room and set a paper plate down on the bed. On that plate was an apple that had been cleaned and cut up ready to eat. Christina said, “Oh you have to try this. It’s so good. It’s a Honey Crisp apple” -THANKS GOD!!!! HE truly does give you the desires of your heart!!

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord,and He will give you the desires of your heart.