ISAIAH 65:24 :" BEFORE THEY CALL, I WILL ANSWER " (PART 2)

ISAIAH 65:24: "BEFORE THEY CALL, I WILL ANSWER" (PART 2)

As often  with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say" Amen"? I  just did not believe that God could do this.

  Oh yes, I know he can do everything; the bible says so. But they are limits aren't they? The  only way God could  this particular prayer  would be by sending me a parcel from home. I had been in Africa for almost four years  at the time and I have never ever received a parcel from the home. Any way if someone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle ? I lived on the equator!

 Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in a in  the nurse's training school, a message was sent that  there was a car  at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there on the verandah was a large 22- pound parcel. I felt  tears prickling my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot . We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly.
 Excitement was mounting. some thirty or forty pairs of eyes was focused on the large card board box . From the top , I lifted  out brightly- colored , knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then  there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then there came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend.
 Then , as I put my hand in again, I felt the.... could it really be?
I grasped and pulled it out . Yes, a brand new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I  had not truly believed he could.
 Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward crying out, " if God has sent the bottle, he must have sent the dolly, too!''
Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes  shone! she had  never doubted ! looking up at me , she asked, " can  I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus loves her?"
"of course," I replied !
That parcel had been  on the way for five months, packed up by my former Sunday school  class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting  to send a hot water  bottle, even to the equator.
And one of  the girls had put in a dolly  for an African child- five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year -old to bring it '' that afternoon''
'' Before they call, I will answer."
Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to trust in the lord with all our hearts. What a faithful and caring father We have !