I'm speechless...

God has really been teaching me a lot lately. It's funny the different things that God can use to teach us big life lessons.
Sometimes I allow myself to be too concerned about things, such as life decisions or big purchases. But God has really shown me that He is always on time and will always take care of us.
He has really taught be about the power of prayer through my new car. Three years ago I started praying that when the time care for me to buy a car, that God would help me find a good, reliable car that would last a long time. Well, at the beginning of the summer I started actively looking for a car, and several of my students started praying that I would find a good one. In fact, I think they ended up praying about it more than I did... two of my students (one a 15 year old and also my 6 year old piano student) made a list of things I wanted on a car and actually prayed over that list. Both of their moms told me that each night they took out the list and prayed over it. Just thinking about that touches my heart. I had mentioned I would like a CD player, a sunroof... but that I felt almost funny asking for those things because they arent necessary. I am going to grad school, and I really wanted to be wise with my money and not just go out and buy some fancy car. I was also frustrated and not having a dad or ...anyone really to go shopping with me. Car dealers seem to love taking advantage of young single girls. But the Lord provided a Christian dealer who found out I was looking for a car and we went to a dealer auction together. I had my loan and my max amount....but corollas and camrys were going for thousands more than what I wanted to spend. I was getting discouraged, but I kept thinking about the fact that we had been praying and God promises that He'll provide all our needs. Well, a week later, Ronnie was at the auction and it turns out that a Toyota Avalon (The top toyota car) ended up in a Ford line at the auction, and there was hardly any competition for it. The Lord ended up providing an Avalon for me........below trade-in value!!!!!!!!!! It's beautiful... and yes, it has a sunroof, and a 6 disc changer. Heated leather seats, wood grain interior, upgraded paint job, upgraded security system....in fact, I did some research and discovered that this car has every possible add-in that you can get on an avalon. I am just beside myself. It is so amazing how God works... I had actually begun to doubt that I was going to get a decent car, but God provided one far better than I ever expected!
When I showed it to my students they went on and on about how they couldn't believe God provided so far above what they had prayed for! However, my one student who had actually made the list was absolutely quiet. Didnt say a word. I was a little concerned, but never had a chance to ask him if he was ok. His mom told me later that evening that he was truly awestruck that God answered so far above his/our prayers. She said that all he talked about that afternoon was how God provided so far above what we had prayed for and how he wanted to start praying more faithfully.
I look at that car as a ministry tool.....it sure taught me about prayer. I feel like it was really my students prayers that got the car.... they were so faithful. Their faithfulness in praying is a rebuke to me. I didnt pray every night....but they did. Its exciting when people ooooo and ahhhh about the car - I have the opportunity to explain God's power and personal attention!
This situation has taught me soooo much. God is personal. I knew that - but this is an actual thing I can touch and see that proves it. He delights in giving us our desires - and it hit me, what else has He been longing to give me that I simply haven't asked for? God's Word makes it obvious that God wants us to come to Him with our desires.... and that if He sees fit, He will give us what we ask for. Why don't I pray for more things??? As I pulled off the lot in my new car, I turned on the radio and heard the song "I am loved by the Father, I am loved by the Son, my Father is very fond of me..." (Chris Tomlin) and I just started to cry. I had been so frustrated at being "alone" in my car search but God is my Heavenly Father. He provided, far better than an earthly father could. As I heard that song, I had the heated seats on and I felt as though my Father was giving me a hug, reminding me how much He loves me.
Our God is wonderful. He leaves me speechless.

8/06