Unanswered Prayer

I was alone in Costco with all 4 kids, which I realize is an oxymoron. I mean I was the ONLY adult with all 4 kids and Eden announced she needed to go to the bathroom badly. My cart was full and I wasn't about to leave it so I told her she'd have to hold it. She said she REALLY needed to go. I said, "Let's pray about it and ask the Lord to send someone along who we know who can help us. They can stay with the cart and babies and I'll take you to the bathroom." We prayed and Eden began scanning every isle we entered looking for the person God would send. Her faith never wavered for a moment. She was fully confident He would send us someone.

(Now a bit of background: This is a prayer I have prayed many times through the years when I have found myself in need and almost ALWAYS someone is there immediately to help.) Today no one came. I was really beginning to feel anxious and my conversation with the Lord was going something like this, "Father, wouldn't this be a great opportunity to strengthened a little girl's faith? She'd really praise you and gush about it to Daddy and all her friends. Can't you do this for us? What's she going to think about the reality of prayer if You don't send some one?" Nothing. No one. I was preparing myself for how to address what appeared to be an "unanswered prayer." I started to explain how sometimes God says, "No" or "Wait."

Eden said, "I know Mommy. It's okay. Today He told me to wait and then He made me able to hold it. I know He could have sent someone, but He knew I could hold it." Her faith was still fully intact. I realized how fearful I'd been that one "unanswered prayer" would shatter her fragile, juvenile, beautiful faith. I was the one who the "no" was for and whose faith needed strengthened.

Thank You, Precious Father, for answering our Costco prayer with a "No."