Unasked Prayer

I know that prayer is powerful. I know that we "have not because we ask not". I know that faith is a necessary ingredient to answered prayer.

And yet there are still times that for whatever reason, I don't even think to ask.

A couple of months ago, my brother announced that he -- and therefore, his family, which means Baby Boy -- were moving far far away, and it seemed highly unlikely given the situation that he would ever be back. Oh, they'd come for a visit once or maybe even twice a year. And we could maybe work in a visit there once a year or so.

But this news essentially meant that no longer will we get to be part of Baby Boy's growing up years.

I know this happens in many families. Children grow up, and they don't always stay close to home. People have to go where the jobs are. And children all over the country grow up far from extended family, and only see them once or twice a year, and I'm sure they are just fine nonetheless.

But Baby Boy?

The sadness was overwhelming.

However, I assumed that this was where God was leading them, and who was I to argue? So I sadly resigned myself to the fact that Baby Boy was indeed going away, and that's just how things were going to be from now on. It never even occurred to me to ask God to keep him here. Is that a lack of faith or what?

I got a call Sunday that turned my mourning into dancing, and my sackcloth to joy! My brother had been offered a better job in a nearby town and they're staying! We get to keep Baby Boy!!

Sometimes God answers even when we don't think to ask.

He's awesome like that.