Things are quiet out on Bittersweet. We have candle shows two weekends in a row, Lois spent weeks pouring candles for the show and almost sold out, so she is back at work for this weekend. She would be giddy with joy if she sold out again. I hope she does. When she pours the candles the little farmhouse is fragrant with welcome smells. Apples and Cinnamon. Orange Spice. Apple Butter. Maple Sugar Cookie. Farm Fresh Coffee. Banana Bread. They make your mouth water.
Sunday was a great day at Bethel Church. We had a big Family Fun Festival with bounce houses, games, hot dogs, corn dogs, and laughter all day. The weather was perfect except for the times it got a little chilly after every, single, child in the entire church emptied the cold water bucket on my head in the “splash the elders” game. I love each of them and pray that they will have happy memories of growing up at Bethel and love God with all their hearts all their lives. It was a good, healthy event and enjoyed by all who attended. The good men of the church allowed themselves to be soaked over and over again for the cause. AWANA and full Sunday School launch next week, along with three new adult Sunday School classes.
A Remarkable Answer to Prayer
Lois and I often have conversations over Facebook posts. She will read me something a parishioner wrote or I will read something to her.
The other day we were reading one of Ken Wyatt‘s post. He’s a retired newspaper editor and a member of the Bethel Church for many years.
Ken and his wife Gigi live out on the lake. It’s always interesting to read his take on things. An evening with the Wyatts is always a treat. Last time out they made a shepherds pie it was delightful of course as well as the conversation. We only left out of politeness I could’ve stayed for hours more. Sometimes I meet Ken and we walk and talk and pray.
Looking at here phone Lois says, “Look, GiGi is driving the boat.”
“Oh, they have a pontoon boat? I would love to have a ride with them in their pontoon boat,” I said.
“Don’t you dare invite yourself out there, Ken. We haven’t had them over since they had us out for shepherds pie.”
“Oh, I don’t have to invite myself. The Lord hears my prayers. I’ll just tell him.”
Then I just stopped without further banter and I said, “Dear Lord you can do anything. If it’s your will, put it on Ken and Gigi’s hearts to invite us out for a boat ride. I’ll praise you for it.”
Lois gave me the side-eye and not another word was spoken about it to anyone until the next Sunday after church at Bethel.
Lois came into my study after church and said, “You are not going to believe what happened. Ken and Gigi just offered us a ride on their pontoon boat.”
“The Lord answered my prayer didn’t he,” I exalted.
“He did. Yes he did.”
More and more I am learning what every devout believer learns: Simply open your heart up to God and prayer and trust Him to know what is best for you. This summer over and over again in my travels and preaching I have pointed to the beautiful passage in Matthew 7:7=11 from our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount:
““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:7–11, ESV)
I’ll write about this again after our tour of Swain’s Lake with Ken and Gigi. I’ll be sure to get some pictures. Maybe they will let Lois drive the boat, but don’t say anything about it. I’ll just tell the Lord.
Bittersweet Farm
September 7, 2021
Yesterday, October 8, 2021 we made our way out to the Wyatt’s Pine Cottage on SwIns Lake for amazing apple pie and conversation. I even got to drive the boat.
Our God cares about the small things as well as the big things. He answers prayers. The reason God doesn’t answer some prayers is we don’t ask Him.