Ice In The Lap Trick

Several years ago, (my goodness it was almost 10 years ago in 1997) I had just separated from my wicked husband. I used part of my retirement money to get a new car so I'd have reliable transportation for my job selling cemetery property.

Late one night, coming home I bounced over a pot hole and the A/C went out. One minute blowing cold air, the next warm, summer night air came pouring through the vents. I prayed about it. I hadn't sold anything for several weeks and I just didn't have the money for a new A/C. (Turned out the pot hole had nothing to do with the A/C.)

One very hot July day, my daughter was moving and asked me to help. "Of course," I said. On the way to her place to help pack, I was once again talking to God about my A/C. I reminded Him that I must arrive at my clients homes cool as a cucumber. He reminded me that I worked at night. I reminded Him that South Louisiana is not the coolest place in the world at night and that it was hot and humid especially in July. He reminded me that it had been a rather cool July. I finished with, 'But, I would just like to arrive at my destinations cool and refreshed, not smelling like a horse!'

The light turned green, then. I turned the corner towards my daughter's place and my glass full of ice and water promptly turned over in my lap. Oh yes! I arrived cool and refreshed!

I still chuckle over that and that happened 10 years ago. That day, God taught me that He will sometimes answer our prayers in a very unusual way.

He will satisfy our needs and our wants according to His good purposes. A couple of months later, my younger daughter had a wreck in that car, totally demolishing it. That $800.00 for the A/C would have been completely wasted. So now, when I don't have an answer to my prayer the way I expect it, I always look for the ice water in the lap trick. God is then saying, "Cool it, Gina. I know what's best for you."

7 comments:

Sonya Triggs-Wharton said...

Isn't that totally how God works? He does things His way, in His own time and in the way He chooses!

Also - I'm glad I'm not the only one who has those back and forth 'conversations' with God. He tells you what to do, and you point out why that may not be such a good idea. As if He needs us to tell Him anything! Every now and then I wake up in the middle of my own personal foolishness, and realize I am talking to the Creator of the Universe and that, of course, He already knows exactly what's going on in my life and even if I just got up in the morning and said 'God it's all in your hands', I'd probably be alright.

Thank you for this article! It reminded me of the value in trusting in God's Provision.

Corry said...

Even though we don't know at the moment why, we can rest assured God does know what's best.

I think God has a sense of humor as well:-)

God's Grace.

David Meigs said...

Isn’t it cool to have lived long enough to look back and see the big picture?

I wish I had a nickel for every time I argued with God. Ok, make that a C-note. Hey, a nickel isn’t what it used to be.

Refreshment in Refuge said...

Sonya, yes! I must be reminded all the time and I just love the way God uses humor with me. I am grateful that He gave me that tickled sense, LOL

Corry, it's a matter of Trust, isn't it?

David, I'll take the C-note! Yeah! My lessons have been many, I'd be rich LOL

HeyJules said...

I'm so behind on reading blogs but gosh this story was wonderful. I found it to be very "refreshing."

That God - always so sure he knows what's best. So what if He's 100% right...

Refreshment in Refuge said...

Yes, Jules! I love the fact that He's 100% right. That gives me such comfort so that I can rest easy.

EXSENO said...

I have to remember this. It's a lesson to be learned and remembered.
I have to often, in the past had things go wrong and said why me. I have always believed that there is always a reason why. it's just sometimes I forget to remember that lesson. I forget to just chill out and wait to find out what that reason is.

Am I rambling Gina, can you make any sense of what I mean here?