So, I wasn't planning on a sleepover. It just kind of happened. There I was, ready to say good-bye to Lucy's friend, when two pairs of eyes met mine. I don't know how they did it, but all four of those eyes became cartoonishly huge. Sweetness spilled out of every fiber of their being. All the while I'm going through my mental to-do list, "Newsletter has to be designed and ordered tonight, clients need to be contacted regarding their orders, receipts need to be issued, bloggies will be expecting a new post, checkbook balanced, costume made (cue Gloria), etc." Just as my tongue hit the roof of my mouth to pronounce the "n" sound in "No", Lucy, (without whining - that's key) made her request known, as she proceeded to tell me all the reasons she felt it would be the right thing for me to do. "Mom, you always said I couldn't have a sleepover until Noah slept all night, and now he does." She wasn't finished. "AND, you and Dad said I couldn't have anybody overnight because he was going on a trip, and would miss me so he wanted me all to himself for awhile. YOU said that when he left you would consider letting me have a friend spend the night. It is a week-end so there's no school tomorrow and Dad will be home soon and want to spend more time with just me." She's good I tell you, sinisterly good.
And you know what, I didn't realize it, but I desperately needed a slumber party. It's refreshing to get away from the hectic, busy, task oriented life and enjoy a precious life moment. There is an unequaled joy that comes with listening to seven year olds talk about how cute that boy actor is. "Yeah, he's soo cute I would probably kiss him. Giggle giggle". "Um yeah, giggle-snort, but not until you were married." Thank you, Lauren, for your high moral standards. I hope that rubs off a bit on the ministers' child:)
Thank God Lucy was so darn convincing, because I was so zonked and under pressure that whatever I did wouldn't be my best work anyway. And when I knock it out tomorrow, only one day will have passed. A year from now, I won't remember how I missed a night of work, but I don't think I'll ever forget Lauren's wise instruction on pre-marital relations. In fact, I plan to smile about it often.
Long story longer, Lucy won me over because she executed two biblical principles.
1. She made her request known. Aka, she ASKED politely.
Philippians 4:6 (New King James Version)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
2. She believed I would do what I said I would do.
Matthew 8:13 (New King James Version)
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.
The key to "getting what we want" from God is doing exactly what Lucy did tonight. She knew the words I had spoken, she believed what I said, and she acted on it (She ASKED.)
God doesn't have a problem with us bringing up his promises and hoping for a piece of the pie. He eagerly waits to give us good things. I find throughout His word (the Bible) his desire to give us peace, joy, greater understanding, restoration, even "non- spiritual" things like houses and money. Oh Yeah! So I am encouraging YOU, special reader, to search his promises and believe them for your life. And then, if you can muster the courage, (It worked for Lucy) ASK Him to give you all the things he's claimed he'll do. What have you got to lose? Ok, next question. What have you got to gain? Try it!
I've even done some research for you. You'll find a boatload of promises from the Bible by clicking Here.
I love you all more than you could imagine.
Christina
P.S. Which of these promises will you apply in your life?
