Power in the Moment

​On Tuesday I had my moment. It had been a stressful few days, Isaias hit bringing down trees perilously close to our house and knocking out power and after five months of dealing pretty well with the whole Covid-19 situation (if I do say so myself), I was tired of it. Oh, and did I mention that Tuesday was my husband’s and my 30th anniversary? We had planned an overnight in Virginia Beach to celebrate but, of course, those plans had to be cancelled due to the storm.
 
First World Problems.
 
And that’s what I told myself as I tackled cleaning up the branches and significant lawn debris from the storm. But by 1, I needed a break and decided that it was time for my bi-annual Big Mac. Nothing like some fat and carbs to calm the pouty soul. But as my husband and I approached those golden arches, we noticed that the cars were wrapped around the building twice! On to Dairy Queen for a much-needed Blizzard. There were cars in the parking lot and it appeared to be open, but after waiting at the drive-through speaker for five minutes, we finally realized that Dairy Queen was out of power. Neither Big Mac nor Blizzard were to be had.
 
My pout took on permanence.
 
By 5:30 I had finished clearing the lawn, but due to the lack of air-conditioning, the house had heated up quite a bit. As my son ventured out to bring some pizza home for our anniversary dinner, I wrestled with my mood, bringing it before the Lord. I considered asking Him to have the power turned back on, but, as I mentioned before, I knew that my un-air-conditioned house and my cancelled anniversary plans were nothing compared to what most of the world deals with. I added feelings of guilt to my poutiness.  
 
I talked to the Lord of all power for half an hour, refusing to ask him to turn on the electricity because asking for such a triviality would, in my mind, only be selfish. But at 6pm, I gave in and asked Him to turn it on. “Lord, I know this is really a very minor need, but would You??” Fifteen minutes later, just as my son pulled into the driveway with the pizza and ice cream, the lights came on, not only in our home, but in my soul as well.
 
The Lord does not answer all of my prayers in such a prompt fashion. I have asked Him for things to which He’s replied, “no” and there are other much more significant requests to which He’s said, “wait”. But He’s also my Father and He loves me. He hears my prayers and delights to give good gifts not only to me, but to all His children! 
 
Next time I’m headed toward poutiness, may the Lord remind me that, whether He answers my prayer in the moment or not, all surpassing power belongs to God (2 Cor 4:7) and He delights when we ask and turn all of our needs, wants and desires over to the Giver of all good and perfect gifts. (James 1:17)

Author

Chris Hamilton is the Director of Women’s Ministry at PCC and mother to two adult sons. She and her husband, Phil, have been happily married for 30 years.