Needle in a Haystack

 

 

Have you ever found a needle in a haystack?

 

 

Alan and his wife, Leisa, were tired after spending all day raking up leaves and pine straw from the backyard of his mother-in-law's home.  Even their 4-year-old daughter, Lydia, had tried to help.

 

Now, after hours of back-breaking work, the yard looked great.  Towering pine trees stood majestic against the orange sunset, and the Smiths shared in the satisfaction of seeing the 12 huge lawn bags piled up in the center of the grass.

 

But satisfaction quickly turned to dismay when Leisa discovered her diamond wedding ring had somehow slipped off during the chore.  “It could be anywhere on the lawn or in one of those bags!”  She gasped.  Sick with despair, Alan realized there was only one solution.  He huddled his family together and encouraged them, “Let's just ask God for help.  He knows where it is.” 

 

Suddenly, little Lydia jumped and said, “I know where it is!”  She walked over to the bag in the middle of the pile and after spilling just a small amount of the pine straw, out came the ring.

 

 

                   What a wonderful experience for the Smith family – not just because they found something of value, but because they now understood the value of prayer. God could have chosen not to answer this prayer but instead he acted on behalf of a family who did. Over the last decade I have observed an alarming trend of Christian parents, teens, and children who no longer converse with God about the little things. Jesus said to ask and we would receive. I don’t think little Lydia will ever forget that day. God's design is really quite simple…we have not because we ask not.