What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do

Another Sunday morning approached and I wondered why the things that we pray so earnestly to receive are the very things that keep us praying….and fasting…and praying some more?

It may be the prayer for peace on the job.

Or a prayer for your marriage.

Or a prayer for your children.

There is not an eternal “amen” once the prayers have been offered.  We must continue to seek God for His wisdom, His knowledge, and His peace as we attempt to be good stewards over our answered prayers.

This particular Sunday, I stood in the mirror and remembered all the wounds that I had received as I maneuvered the shards of broken glass that had been so valuable to me. These broken pieces had once been a beautiful vessel before life shattered those hopes and dreams into a million pieces. I stood and effortlessly attempted to put each piece back in place, but each time I tried, I experienced the pain.

What to do?

As I drove to church a few hours later, I released the tears that I had been holding back for weeks. Although I tried to cut off the spigot behind my eyes, they continued to flow as I walked into the sanctuary.

I sat down and tried to regroup, and then I saw her.

I believed that a former student was sitting on the row in front of me, but I didn’t want to get too excited. I tapped the shoulder of the lady sitting directly in front of me to ask her if she knew the lady sitting beside her.

“Yes, that is her. She is my daughter-in-law,” she replied over her left shoulder. I smiled and saw the pride that was bubbling up in her eyes.

“Thank you ma’am. She is a former student of mine from Clinton.”

The mother-in-law then turned to her right and grabbed my hand. I leaned in as she uttered a simple prayer request and promised her I would pray for her son and his wife, my former student.

As we greeted visitors, I embraced the young lady and told her how glad I was to see her.

As the service progressed, there were moments of laughter and times of celebration, and this mama prayed for my neighbor’s son—and for mine.

The tears continued to flow.

Then an image of a house was projected on the screen.The house was hidden behind tall grass and weeds that appeared to be overtaking the property.

At first glance, my attention rested on the weeds; however, there was a house on the property that simply needed some tender loving care.

Much like my prayer request.

Disappointments, let downs, trying to figure out what to do are the weeds in life.  Sometimes they may get so high and so thick that we miss the blessing behind the mess.

This question resonated within me: Are you willing to plow through and cut down the tall weeds in order to possess the hidden treasure?

I knew immediately the tools that would be necessary for the groundwork.

At the culmination of the message, prayer was extended.

As the mother in front of me extended her hands and worshiped Christ, her whispered prayer request was answered. She opened her eyes and saw the manifestation of what I learned had been years of prayers. 

That morning, her son surrendered his life to Christ. She and I embraced, and our tears mingled.

Her tears reminded me of what I need to do when I don’t know what to do.

Pray and trust God.

I had to release to God all the broken pieces that I was still holding.I had to reset my heart and continue to meditate on God’s word.

“The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.” James 6:16b The Message

If you have found yourself in a I don’t know what to do about this situation, I would like to encourage you to refocus on the hidden treasure. Meditate on God’s word  and “be confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Phil. 1:6 KJV

When we don’t know what to do, we are in the best position possible. That is when we must surrender our all to the One who is working it out for our good.