Short and Sweet.

God definitely decided to give me a little lesson today.
You know how when you're little, in Sunday school you learn about praying to God and that he always answers your prayers? Even if he doesn't answer it how you want him to?
So true. So so very true.
Last August, I was down to my last bit of money--I had nothing left. And I prayed really hard for just something like $200. I can't remember exactly why, but that was the amount I needed. I was at school, and my principal asked me if I'd started shopping for my classroom yet and I told her that I couldn't do anything because I didn't have any money until our first paycheck. She informed me that the PTO would reimburse me for some of my classroom spendings if I turned in receipts, which would be nice if I even had the money in the first place. So nodded and walked off. About five minutes later she came back with a check for $200 in her hand. She said the PTO gave me the money up front after she explained my situation, and I would be fine as long as I turned in the receipts as to how I spent it.
That prayer was answered very quickly (ie. the day after I prayed it), and very specifically.
It's funny how we forget how powerful, and merciful God can be.

About 4 months ago, I was having surgery on my jaw. And there was an unexpected $900 payment I had to make. And I didn't have the money. I prayed and prayed for it, but I ended up having to use my credit card to cover it. No big deal, but I'm not gonna lie--I was a little disappointed.
Fast forward 4 months.
I come back from being away for over a month and start going through my mail. I've got lots of junk mail, a couple bills, some magazines, and then there is a letter from my insurance company. I open it up and read that my account has been audited and I have overpaid and they are sending me a refund check. A refund check for $600!
So now, $600 less poor, I look back and realize that praying for something to happen is never all in vain. But I have to know it isn't always going to be the next day. It's not like I need the money, even now. But I think what I need is a reminder that my timeline and God's timeline don't always line up. Heck, they're probably not even parallel. I'll bet they're skew (pull out that 6th grade math book, quick!)
Even though I thought I needed the money then, I have managed to be okay. God has provided the entire time.
And now he's reminding me that he listens.
And that his timing is the one that matters.