Merely a coincidence?

Sometime during the long winter, I reconnected with a friend. It had been ages since we had spoken and she called me out of the blue. Or so it seemed.

My friend and I have known each other since college. We became fast friends and helped each other get through some tough classes. We kept in touch and visited each other a few times since graduation. Not nearly as often as we would have liked. Like it so often happens, we lost contact with each other several years ago. I have to admit that though I try so hard to stay in touch with my friends; I let it get away from me. Before I blink it seems like months have passed since I've called a cherished girlfriend.

All of you, who are dear to my heart, please know this--I pray for you! I pray fervently for you, in the situations that you bear daily. I pray that if you don't KNOW Jesus, you would come to see him as your Savior. If you love Him dearly, I pray that you would live your life in a glorifying manner. I pray for your children, your husbands, your jobs. I've prayed over each of you who have been expecting new additions to your families. I confess that I haven't always been so diligent in my prayer life. I wish I would have been!

So, this dear college friend, who I haven't talked to in years...I've been praying for her, too, for years. This winter, maybe it was the weather, the wait, or a bad cup of coffee, but I had a moment as I was praying. It's sad to think about now, but I was praying about my friend and said, "Lord, I haven't talked to her in ages. I don't know what she's doing or what is going on in her life. I don't even know how to pray for her anymore. Should I stop?"

It sounds horrible doesn't it? I didn't mean it in a bad way, but felt a little inept in my prayers. Praying that she would be drawn to the Lord, but not knowing the circumstances in her life. Well, wouldn't you know, God never wants us to stop praying for others! (Can you see the big flashing 'Duh!').

One evening, just a few days after praying that prayer, my phone rang. And it was this friend! She said she just started 'wondering what Apryl is up to,' so she googled me. My wonderful little blog popped up. She's such a good friend that she didn't tell me it bored her to tears, but she sat and read the ENTIRE story. Then called me, and we talked for three hours! God answers our prayers in amazing ways, doesn't He?

That's not the end of the story though! This friend took it upon herself to let her family and friends know what we are up to. Then, she sent me a big, FAT check from all of them to us. God poured His blessing out on us through a group of people that I never would have expected to hear from.

Now, would you call that a coincidence?

My friend, who-knows-who-she-is, I hope you know how much our family has appreciated your kindness! I will continue (*smirk*whether you like it or not) to pray for you, and if I haven't heard from you in a while, I'll ask God about you and just wait for the phone to ring. That is so much more amazing than picking the phone up myself! May I use that as a legitimate excuse? How about the whole I'm-a-homeschooling-mom-to-five-kids routine?

Ephesians 23:14, 17, 19

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love...know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.