Two months after my husband graduated school and started a new job, I gave birth to our first child. We had very little money and at times we had none at all.
The days went by and I eked out this and eked out that. Then one morning after I’d gathered up the baby’s laundry, I found I’d run out of detergent. Our monthly paycheck wasn’t due till the end of the week, and we barely had enough money left for our food needs, never mind soap, but I had to have clean diapers for my baby! It was one of those little frustrations that wells up to blimp-size discouragement.
“Oh, Lord, you know I need soap. I pray that my folks send me money—soon.” My parents periodically sent a small check. They were the only source I could think of.
I heard a noise at the door. Could it be the mail carrier? Somehow I actually expected God would answer me that quickly. I glanced out the window, but no mailman. It must have been the wind rattling the screen.
I went on with my housework. I kept crying out to the Lord. “What will I do about these diapers? Oh, Lord, what will I do?”
Then suddenly I felt prompted to go to the front door. Perhaps the carrier had come and I’d missed seeing him. Perhaps a check…
I opened the door. Hanging on the handle was a plastic sack containing a sample box of a new detergent!
What did I learn about prayer that day? That God not only answers prayers, but has his own way of chiding a too-frantic housewife. Isaiah 65:24 says, “While they are still talking to me about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers.”
