An Answered Prayer

By Stacy Book

          I have been teaching Sunday School for the younger children for several years now.  I have always liked working with children, but a lot of times I feel like I'm not as good as I should be.  I know there are other people who are better teachers than I am.

     Over the last few weeks, I've felt like I need to quit teaching this class.  My heart hasn't been into it like it should be.  The joy, I guess you might say, has faded.  It's been more like a job getting prepared than excitement.  I love the children.  They are such a joy to be around, it's just the teaching part.  I really didn't want to say anything because I didn't know if there would be anyone who would take it (and I didn't say anything).  I didn't want to feel like I was letting my pastor down or my church family down.  I didn't want to feel like a failure.  But that's my problem a lot of times.  I try to please others and do what they want instead of doing what God wants and pleasing Him.  I can be selfish and try to do things my way instead of letting God work and do things His way.  I prayed about it some, but not as much as I should have.  I guess because I didn't want to say anything.  But he still heard me and answered my prayer.

          I was talking to Melissa Tapp, a good friend of mine from church.  She had something on her mind. Something God had been speaking to her about- but was afraid to say anything.  She felt God was calling her to teach a class.  What class?  You guessed it- children.  Melissa has been teaching the children's class in Bible School the last few years.  She is so good with them.  She has two children and is always having Bible studies with them at home and their friends when they come over.  She is very creative.  She makes homemade cards that are very detailed- you don't want to throw hers away.  She can come up with a craft or put up a bulletin board in no time.  She can sew scarfs and blanket and other things.  She makes them and gives them away.  She is always thinking of others and what she can do for them.  So as we were talking, I knew God was working in our conversation.  I knew what she was trying to ask me so I asked her if she wanted to teach my class and, of course, she said YES! with excitement.  She felt a heavy burden lifted off of her and so did I.

            1John 5:3 says, This is love for God: to obey his commands.  And his commands are not burdensome.

We both felt better.  God taught me a lesson through this and I'm sure Melissa too.  When God is speaking to you- LISTEN and then OBEY Him- even when you think it's not going to work.

          Romans 8:28 says, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

          I'm looking forward to watching God work through Melissa in this class.  I will be praying for her.  And I'm looking forward to what new direction God is going to lead me into.  When he does, I will have another story, so keep checking my stories on Christdepot.com  If you have a story, please share it and let us know how God is working in your life.

          Hebrews 13:16 says, And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.