"Once our eyes are opened, we cannot pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act." Proverbs 24:12



“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met.”- William Butler Yeats





Saturday, June 27, 2009

reserved parking

parking



Some of you may think I'm crazy. Some of you may have even tried my proven theory. And some of you may think the next time you're driving around a parking lot frantically looking for a spot that isn't miles away, "What the hec. Let me give it a try!"

This is the deal.

Want a great parking spot? Almost every time?

Easy.

Ask God!

A few years ago, around Christmas time someone mentioned to me that they never had a problem finding good parking at the mall. I said, "Why? Do you valet?" She laughed and said, "No silly. I ask God!" I was quite surprised and said, "You ask God for a parking space?" She immediately replied with a loud, "I sure do! And he gets me a great one, almost every time!"

I thought she was a bit looney and forgot about it.

Forgot about that is, until the next time I was driving around somewhere and couldn't find a spot. I had recently had back surgery and walking long distances was a mission. I was frustrated and at my wits end. Then I remembered the advice I had been given a few months back.

So, I sheepishly stopped the car, closed my eyes and quietly whispered, "Lord. I know you have so much to do and this may sound really petty, but please, can you find me a parking spot where I don't have to walk for a mile so that my back doesn't begin to kill me?" I then began the search again.

Up the first aisle, down the next. Nothing. I was back at the main entrance when I notice a lady with a cane leaving the store I wanted to go into. I look and figure she was in a handicapped zone. But decided to pause a second to make sure. She crossed in front of my car, went past the 2 handicap spaces and right to the next spot beside them. From that day forward, I have never stopped asking God for trivial things. Nothing is too big. Nothing is too small. If it's His will. It will happen.

My friends, giving you good parking spaces makes God smile. A lot. As the woman had told me many years ago, I get a great spot almost every time! (And the times I don't, I figure he's reminding me I could use the exercise!)

Last night, Amanda and I went to go see My Sister's Keeper. (Great movie...separate post!) It also happened to be the first Friday of the opening of Transformers. The lines were crazy!

We had gone to dinner before and had tickets for the 9:40 showing. About 9 p.m., we pull up to the theater. Literally there was no where to park. The movie was ending at 11:45 p.m. and I didn't want to walk to the other side of the shopping strip alone with Amanda. I drove up and down, up and down. We'd see someone by their car, I'd speed up to ask them if they were leaving, sure enough, they weren't. After about 10 minutes of this and listening to Amanda say, "Mom, just park on the other end. It doesn't matter. Please, just park!" I said to her, "Amanda. God will find us a spot. Just watch." She looked at me and laughed (probably like most of you are doing now).

I stopped the car, closed my eyes and said, "Lord, please provide us a spot in a safe, secure and well lit place where we could walk to without any harm coming to us." Amanda just looked at me and gave me that I-think-my-Mom-has-really-lost-it-now look.

I started driving again. Up and down the aisles. Nothing. We drove for another 5 minutes. Amanda then said, "Mom, obviously God's not into reserving parking spaces. Can we please just park?" I knew in my heart that we'd find a good space. I said to Amanda, "Ok. Let me go around one more time, if I don't find a good space, I promise we'll go down to the end of the mall and park there." She agreed. I make a left to head towards the front of the theater again. I make a right into the aisle smack in front of the theater and there are two girls walking towards their car. Where was their car?

THE SPOT RIGHT NEXT TO THE HANDICAP PARKING! Smack dab in front of the theater!

I was so darn happy! I look at Amanda and said, "MY GOD ROCKS!!!!! Go ahead, say it! Say it!" She laughed and said, "Yep! Your God rocks, Mom!" Then I called Scott to tell him my joyous news that God had done it again!

We had a great time at the movie, came out and our car was the only one sitting right in front of the theatre. Amanda looked at me and said, "Wow. It's like valet!"

Yep, baby. God only gives you His best!





17 comments :

a Tonggu Momma said...

That's what my sister and I call "Rock Star Parking." God is so funny!

Jill said...

SWEET!!!!
Your God does ROCK!!
Hugs, Jill

Jewels of My Heart said...

How I love you! I have to say that I too at times have asked God to help us with a parking place.... and He almost always does when I ask. The other thing is that my mind is so scattered. I have a difficult time remembering things! When there is something important that I need to put it away. I almost always put it somewhere where it won't get lost. The problem is that I NEVER remember where that someplace is! I look for a while and then I pray! God almost always tells me where it is. All of a sudden I will think of a place, sometimes a place I have already looked.... but I go look again and there it is. He is so faithful! I often feel silly or even ashamed asking Him for something so trivial.... but He has shown me that He cares about every aspect of our lives... even the little things.... and that if the God of the universe, who spoke the world into existence cares enough to help us with such trivial, unimportant things.... how much more will He be there to help us in the big things! Yes, my friend... you are correct.
MY GOD ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Terynn said...

I totally do this and thank Him every time. What is surprising is that each time...I am surprised! God cares about the littlest things...

day by day said...

Cute story, Ohilda!! And great reminder that He wants us to ask for blessings...big and small and then rejoices when we send thanksgiving for those blessings!!

Enjoy your evening!!

p.s....working on switching with my friend for that Sunday in August. Have you worked out any more details?

Holly said...

Girl! I do that all the time! It still amazes me how much He cares about the little details and seemingly insignificant parts of our lives!

He & Me + 3 said...

I will totally have to try that because my husband drives me crazy looking for a close spot. Lol

Aus said...

My dear Ohilda - not to correct you (he says with his tongue planted firmly in his cheek) - but it's Angels dear! Parking Lot Angels to be specific - and Marie and I have been asking them for primo parking for many, many years! See - the way we figure it - God has his hands full most of the time, so He can leave the lesser issues to the Angels. Not all the time - but on those occasions when there's a reason - we ask in a minute! I know that I have several - personal BTW - Angels, one of whom has kept me alive in a couple situations where certain death was the outcome. I'll have to blog that sometime. Anyway - you keep right on asking - no prayer is too large - and none too small!

Hugs - aus and co.

The Ferrill's said...

Amen and Amen! Thanks for that reminder that nothing is too big or too small for OUR GOD!!!
Love you!

Jill said...

I love this...we can ask for even the little things and they suddenly become BIG things!!

My Hubbie's mom does the same thing...always saying "thanks God" as she slides into a primo parking space!!

NEVER hurts to ASK! God ALWAYS answers!!

RamblingMother said...

You know, if you think about it, what isn't small to God?

Patricia said...

This story really got to me...here's why...one of my cousins died from a brain aneurysm when he was 19...(this was over 30 years ago)...when he was alive, he had a knack for always getting a great parking spot (& in NYC that is oh-so-important!)His sister & I are very, very close. She just told me recently that she calls her brother a "Parking Angel" because whenever she needs a spot, she prays to him & he ALWAYS comes through!!

No problem is too big or too small for God & his Angels!! :)

Anonymous said...

How funny, I do that all the time!!! My youngest sister thinks Im crazy & her mom does too, but its okay I tell her ask and you shall receive and when you do thank HIM for everything, yup even a parking spot becuz HE does Rock!!!

Vero

Sarah said...

God is concerned about EVERYTHING in our lives, isn't He? He is just so kind.

Blessings,
Sarah

Julie said...

That is what made my son start believing in prayer when he was a little boy. Still pray over parking spots to this day. God cares about and wants every area of our life...even our parking spots! That is so neat that you do that too!!

glo said...

omg, how funny, since high school me and my friends whenever we would get a parking right at the front we've always called it "jesus parking". for example: "hey did you find a parking spot?" "yes, i got jesus parking" and that always meant in the front. lol.

Val said...

One memory of my grandma is that she'd find a good spot, and would always say, "Thank You, Jesus!" Of course I was young, and we'd be like, "oh puhleeze, it's a parking space." But you know what, it stuck with me to this day, and is a tremendous reminder to thank Him for the little things.

Thanks for that trip down memory lane!

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