In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.

Psalms 18:6

A friend of mine had a muscle in her back that was hurting. She asked her ten-year-old daughter to pray for her, but Mary shook her head “no.” My friend asked, Why not? God answers prayers. But Mary, with tears in her eyes, said, “No, He doesn’t. I’ve been praying every night for my daddy to come home, and he hasn’t come home.”

Mary can’t understand why her daddy left. Her mother doesn’t understand either. Her husband studied his Bible daily, taught Sunday school, and coached the girls’ sports teams. Then one day, he said, “I want a divorce, I never loved you.” Now she is left to raise two little girls whose faith in God has been severely shaken. And her faith is being tested too.

God gives us free choices in life, and people frequently make the wrong ones. Sadly, other people frequently make the wrong ones. Sadly, other people often must live with the results of those choices. But God is still there! My friend is facing her problems one at a time. She’s crying, but she’s also working valiantly to rebuild their lives. And she’s depending on God who has promised to hear us when we call upon Him in distress.

Thought:  I can’t manipulate God to force those around me to do what is right. But I can face my future with a renewed confidence in a God who cares for me and loves me.