Thank You!

“Thank You! And keep praying!” Those were the words from my chiropractor to my new BSF small group, a bunch of prayer warriors.

The alarm went off this morning and I snoozed it. And then snoozed it again. Today was going to be another difficult day. My body gave out after Bible study, and I’d only gotten about ninety minutes of sleep last night. And to top it all off, today third grade was going on a field trip to the zoo. To the zoo. Sure, the students would attend a couple half hour classes, but everybody knows that any field trip to the zoo means walking and lots of it. I’d been dreading this day since the day the field trip was scheduled. So every time the alarm went off, I kept pushing the snooze button.

I’d pushed the snooze button for the last time, the last time I could delay getting up and still have a chance to make it to work on time, when I got a text notification. It was from Sabrina, my BSF small group leader. She’s aware of how my body functions, or better yet how it doesn’t function and she knew I’d had a rough day yesterday so I wasn’t surprised. But the text wasn’t to me. It was written to the rest of the group.

“Good morning ladies, I hope you all had a good night’s rest. The power of prayer is our weapon in this world and we can be assured the Lord hears every one. Let’s pray for our sister Roz throughout the day today but if you would specifically join me at 8 this morning; let’s all lift her simultaneously and “expect” God to answer…like the Royal official, let’s have faith that can move mountains and trust that God will come through in mighty ways for Roz today…there is power in the name of Jesus and in prayer! Psalm 22:19 “But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.”

I was so humbled. Not just by Sabrina’s call for prayer, but with the responses from the group. Their commitment to pray at the designated time and the words of encouragement. WOW! Here I am hiding under the covers having my pity party, and they’re planning a prayer party. Needless to say, as soon as I’d finished reading Sabrina’s text, God got me up. Before the alarm went off again, I was already half dressed. But it was more than just getting me out the bed. As I was brushing my teeth, I realized what it was. I wasn’t feeling sleep deprived.

But that was just the beginning of what God had planned for my day, the day I’d already predicted would be an “Alexander’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”…

• I even got to work on time.
• Got parking close enough so I didn’t have to hike to the school building.
• Students came in more quiet than usual and extremely cooperative.
• Coworker brought her mom’s walker for me to use at the zoo so I’d have support walking and a place to sit whenever my body got tired.
• All the kids were great on the field trip, the entire grade level.
• Fire drill that is usually traumatic for my autistic student was uneventful since we’d just come back from the zoo and were still outside eating lunch.
• Body supported me all day and allowed me to visit one of my students this evening who’d had outpatient surgery.
• MY BACK ADJUSTED! Muscle spasms have prevented my back from adjusting correctly since school started.

When my back adjusted, Dr. Shelly was so pleased, she preceeded to explain how it finally adjusted as the result of my dedication to sticking with the “program”, therapy and doing the right thing, etc. I quickly cut in and said that there was no doubt that it was a direct result of my BSF small group praying for me this morning and throughout the day. To which she replied, “Tell them I said Thank You. And keep praying!”

So to Sabrina, Lyn, Jackie, Tina, LayTonia, Denise, and anyone else who didn’t comment, but prayed, THANK YOU! (I did enjoy my day, Denise.) Thank YOU, Lord for your faithfulness. Thank YOU for this group of godly women You have placed in my life for this year of study.

Prayer is such a powerful weapon against the enemy and such a powerful tool of encouragement to someone in need. Who can you pray for today?