“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10
A middle-aged husband asked his wife, “Do you know a good tailor?”
Puzzled, she responded, “I know one, what do you need?”
“Some of my pants need let out, they’re too snug.”
She tried to hide her telltale smile behind a hand as she responded, “they may not be able to be let out, since you never had them taken in.”
“Oh, well. I guess I need to buy new pants then.”
Her smile widened, but for once she held her tongue. It was easy for her to see the humor in her husband’s attitude with his wardrobe. (The problem was the pants!)
He obviously didn’t consider the problem could lie in what he was putting into the pants. That maybe a change in habits could render those pants wearable again.
How often do I assume the problem to my unanswered prayer is God? That everything about my prayers going heavenward are just fine thank-you-very-much! I assume the problem is God’s not hearing them, or He’s not responding appropriately. Maybe, I just need something or someone else.
Often, my gut reaction isn’t to change what I’m doing, but to alter other factors of the equation to change the outcome.
How human to believe the problem is NOT found with me.
And yet, grace abounds.
God patiently loves us, woos us, and rights us. He opens our eyes when we finally ask and refuses to point out all the past failures.
That tailor-seeking husband eventually saw a new solution: dust off his bike and exercise more. By the end of that summer, his pants did not have any problems.
Now if only personal attitudes could be so easily tailored!
Reflections:
How do I approach God?
How should I approach God?
What can I do to make my “shoulds” what I do?
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for Your great patience with me. Please open my eyes to the truth. Truth about my part on the equation of making prayer work. Please show me where to make changes. Please help me be open to changes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.