Grit, Grime, and Glory

Chapter 3
Twenty-Four Hours with God
Things were rough. It seemed we always struggled to find enough money. Most of our equipment was inadequate, obsolete, or worn. For example, our small copier quit altogether. The truck we used every day to pick up food and household donations was battered, had extremely high mileage, and needed major repairs. Our method for answering phones was embarrassingly antiquated.
The one main phone rang in the basement. When the call was for someone on the main floor or the second floor of the building, the receptionist hollered up the stairwell, screaming for whomever she needed. She was good at her job. She barked like a drill sergeant, in a voice that could be heard clearly in every corner of the agency. It was effective, but not very business-like.
We had other challenges as well, such as not enough space, and barely enough money to cover the utilities, much less to buy food and other necessities for our clients. We faithfully brought these needs to the Lord, every morning.
One day in a planning meeting, the volunteers requested a time of fasting and prayer outside of work hours, to have a longer time to fully focus on our prayer time with the Lord. Carefully, we made plans and prepared our hearts. We started Friday evening with foot washing, partaking of the Lord’s Supper, and celebrating communion (or Eucharist, as some churches call it). Then we talked to the Lord and, on a big flip chart, we made a list of our requests to Him.
I wrote each request as the volunteers suggested it. They mentioned many things, both for the agency, and personal needs, such as health or family. Some things were simple, others more serious. Suddenly, one volunteer, a tiny little lady, offered simply, “Let’s pray for a new copy machine.” I gulped. I knew we needed it, but copy machines were expensive. I wrote it down.
Then another volunteer said, “Let’s pray for a new truck.” I gulped again. How would God answer these requests? These volunteers were so trusting, so believing. Inwardly I apologized to God for their boldness, but I wrote it down just like I had listed the copier.
Finally, the last person said, “Let’s pray for a new phone system.” Now I knew there was no way we would get a phone system. Much as we needed it, the building was old, we had no money, and companies don’t just give away phone systems. I wrote it down, but I cringed to think how I would explain it when the child-like faith of these volunteers was not honored.
We started praying. Throughout the night, there was always a group of two or more, awake and praying. We all met together the next morning. We prayed for the ministry and the volunteers who performed each ministry, as we went from room to room. We prayed fervently for each other. Tears often fell amidst assurances of love and Christian concern. We finished with sundown worship and a light meal. No one knew of our prayer list.
We experienced a precious spiritual high together. I sensed a greater unity than I’d ever sensed before.
On Monday, the mundane returned—it was business as usual. Tuesday morning my phone rang. It was a friend. “Do you guys need a new truck?” he said. “We’ve figured out how to get one for you.” I put down the phone in awe. A new truck? That’s unreal! That only happens in stories, not in real life.
We thanked the Lord and I was happy. Maybe this would alleviate my inner worry about the disappointment of the volunteers, when the other two major requests were not answered.
Wednesday the phone rang again. “Many months ago, we placed a demonstration copier in your agency,” a voice said. I remembered. We had been going from company to company, asking for demonstration machines for the last year. That’s the only way we’d been able to get by when the old one quit. The machine this person was talking about was the first machine we had tried out and our favorite. It cost $25,000.00 and did everything we wanted, but we couldn’t afford it.
“Another company bought a machine exactly like the one you tried,” the salesman continued. “It wasn’t big enough for them, so after using it for two weeks, they returned it. We can let you have it for $9,000.00, since it is now used.” Dazed, I passed the word along to the volunteers. Our fundraiser got on the phone, called several donors, and raised the money in just two hours.
I started telling everyone about how God had answered our prayers. I didn’t care if He hadn’t answered them all, I was just thrilled with what He gave us. My faith soared.
On Friday, the phone rang. “Hi there,” a familiar voice greeted me. After a little small talk, he came to the point, “I’m going into business and am wondering if I could use your agency as a demonstration.”
“Sure, but what kind of business?” I was puzzled.
“I’m working for a phone company and I need to install a system to show my customers how great it is. It’s worth $14,000.00 but I will give it to you free.”
What?! Really??! Wow! All three of the “impossible” requests had been answered within a week. I was dumbfounded and couldn’t quit praising God for this demonstration of His willingness to give good gifts to His children, as Jesus promised in Matthew 7:11 (Holy Bible).
I never forgot those simple, heart-felt requests from volunteers whose faith seemed presumptuous to me. I saw my faith as more realistic and sophisticated than theirs. But the Lord answered in ways I could never have imagined. I began to realize the shallowness of my own spiritual experience. He didn’t rebuke me or punish me. He just lovingly showed me to expect great things from the God, who owns it all.