Who would have guessed the results of my simple prayer for my grandson to find a good friend? You see, I had been transporting him to a youth group on Wednesday nights at the nearby church from his Dad’s place. It was not close to my home, but an excellent opportunity to get him involved in church. attendance.
That first year ended with his going to camp, supported by a home group I attended, as well as his working for points by setting up and taking down chairs, in addition to my help. This was encouraging, especially when it resulted in his choosing baptism following camp.
However, as the Wednesdays came and went, I saw a lessening of enthusiasm for his attendance. There were no friends going there from his school and because of his being somewhat shy socially, I felt his need for a friend to accompany him and bolster his interest.
What a joy when God provided that friend. This young man acted interested when my grandson followed my suggestion to ask him. Soon, I was going out of my way, backtracking from my grandson’s place near to the church, back to his friend’s home and then back to the church. This process reversed itself on our way back home. I did it happily, because it seemed to be the ticket to inspire my grandson to go to youth group.
Last Wednesday, I took my grandson home first which left me alone with his friend. I hadn’t done this previously out of fear that his friend would feel nervous being alone with me in the car. I casually asked him how he liked youth group. With enthusiasm, he gushed, “I just love youth group!” That delighted my soul. I was even more excited when his friend stated that the only reason he hadn’t gone before was because he didn’t have a ride. His parents had said it was too far to drive to church there.
I learned that his friend’s parents were not Christians, and I guessed from the “too far” comment it wasn’t a priority for them. At first I was frustrated since I went out of my way to backtrack to his friend’s home that was ” too far” from the church. Then, I hung out for several hours at my grandson’s place so I could avoid going all the way back home and then do the reverse all over.
It was then that I realized instead what an answer to prayer this was for all of us. My son’s friend was an answer to my prayer but added to that fact was that I was an answer to his prayer.
It gave me a better picture of God and His wonderful choreography of working with His people. I could picture Him matching this person’s prayer with another person’s prayer in the most thoughtful and creative way. What a joy, to be that answer. It made it all worthwhile to use all that steadily increasing gas cost more than worth it.
My grandson’s friend and I are growing closer. He even calls me “second Grandma.” God bless and keep him. Maybe he’ll be a means to encouraging his parents to come the short distance to Jesus.