“Hello.  This is your excavator.  I know I told you I couldn’t come until the end of October, but I have a few hours and wondered if I could come and work?  I’ll be there in about 45 minutes.”

Panic!  We weren’t prepared!  There was construction debris to be picked up, the electrical conduit to hook up and the water valve to be boxed in before the dirt could be moved.

This phone call took place this week, a month before we expected him.  A couple of weeks ago I had called and begged him to come close a ditch around the perimeter of our house which is under construction.  We needed to put the windows in before the rains start.  But the ditch made it dangerous and difficult to put ladders up to install the twelve windows, some of which were very large.  He explained that he was booked solid until the end of October and he was so sorry he couldn’t help us.  Then to our delight, he came unexpectedly to close the ditch two days before we had to install the windows.

When he arrived, we were caught red-handed rushing about preparing.  He jumped down from his big truck, smiled, and remarked incisively,

“When you pray, you better prepare.”

Wow.  That hit me between the eyes.  How often do I pray and do nothing?  I had repeatedly told the Lord that I was convinced He was in charge of this situation even though it looked bleak.  I was worried about safety.  I was worried it wasn’t even possible to get the  windows into the openings when there was a ditch in the way.  I didn’t expect him to intervene in such a miraculous way.  I thought my poor husband would have to slog thru it and figure out a platform and risk life and limb.  But God enjoys giving us good gifts – even if we aren’t prepared.  If I had had faith, I would’ve picked up the mess so things were cleared out in anticipation of the arrival of the excavator.  But I had just worried instead.

I wonder what other ways I should be preparing for God’s answers.  Are there things I could be doing to get things ready for God to step in?  I need to cultivate an attitude of anticipation instead of dread.  What is God up to?  What good thing is he bringing?  I have a good Father who delights in providing for his children.  Am I waiting at the window for his arrival?

“But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him… Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists…So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening…Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod”…

 When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, where many were gathered for prayer.  He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!”

“You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.”

 Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed.  He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison.”   Acts 12:5-16