Not long ago, a friend was hurting. He had taken a stand that wasn't popular though he was certain it was what God wanted him to do. Friends acted like people of the world rather than followers of Christ. They turned their backs and walked away, though they had known him for years.

 

I decided it was time for...Encourager Man. I put on my super hero suit, adjusted the cape, and set off to do some serious encouraging. But I didn't have a plan, and certainly didn't want to make things worse. Calling on my super power, I prayed what I've prayed many times in my life.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, I have no clue what to do. Please move through me to encourage one of your own---then I made it a bit more personal---He's hurting so bad and hasn't laughed in so long. Please give him peace. That would be great. Use me any way You choose.

 

Still not knowing what to do, I grabbed my phone to give him a call. Then a thought popped into my head. Get some water. That made sense. This could take a while. I filled a glass with water and stirred in some lemonade mix with my handy drinking straw. Actually I stirred in a lot of lemonade mix to give it that Super Pucker Power.

 

I called my friend. His "Hello" filled the line with sadness. After some small talk, I said, "Listen, I just wanted to tell you something." I still wasn't sure what to say. I hesitated, then took a quick sip on the straw. Unfortunately, a small ball of undissolved concentrated mix entered my throat and proceeded to explode in all its glory.

 

For the next few minutes, the only thing my friend heard were sounds of gagging and something similar to the excited and quite distressed calls of a wild Canada Goose.

 

The Super Pucker Power was so intense that not only did my mouth immediately freeze in a ridiculous pucker pose, but my throat nearly closed down as well. I could barely breathe. Tears rolled down my face. Headlines flashed before my eyes---Man OD's On Lemonade, Crystal Light Lab Suspected.

 

I finally cleared my throat and regained some control. Then I heard something quite unexpected. Laughter. Uncontrolled, maniacal laughter. My friend was laughing himself silly. He made a valiant attempt to sound concerned for my welfare, but "Are you...going...to live?" surrounded by howls and giggles just didn't seem sincere. In the end, I joined him.

 

Jesus said, If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer (Matthew 21:22). That "whatever" part is tricky, because He also taught that our prayer must focus not on our desires and wants, but on the will of God. (read Matthew 6:9-13) We don't get just anything we ask for.

 

God's will is going to be accomplished. His purpose is going to be achieved. And as we seek and trust Him, not my will but yours be done (Luke 22:42) explodes in power...His power. But always, He controls the who, the what, the when, the where, and especially, the how.

 

God loves His children. He longs to laugh with them in their joy and comfort them in their sorrow. And sometimes how He chooses to accomplish His will...well, it may just take your breath away. Literally.

 

I call on You, O God, for You...will...answer...me... (Psalms 17:6a) Rejoice, for He is good!

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