God, are You sure that's how You want to do it?

Have you ever heard the one about the man who lived in a midwestern town that was located in a valley between two rivers. There was a terrible flood and both rivers overflowed their banks and the rains continued to fall day and night. The town was being flooded slowly but surely. Everyone was evacuated, except for one old man who refused to leave his house-which would soon become completely submerged.

"I have faith that God will save me," the old man shouted at everyone who asked him to leave and flee to higher ground. The man believed in the power of prayer, and he trusted that God would save him somehow.

As the water covered the roads, making them impassable for cars, a man in a four-wheel-drive truck stopped at the old man's house and banged on the door. "Hurry," he cried out. "Come with me and I'll drive you to safety! You haven't much time!" But the old man continued to pray. He would not leave his house.

Within hours, the water had risen several feet, completely flooding his home. The rain continued. The old man climbed up on the kitchen table and continue to pray. As the water was lapping at his heels, a man in a rowboat paddled up to the old man's kitchen window and shouted, "Sir, get in my boat! I'll take you to safety!"

"No," the old man shouted back. "God will deliver me from this flood!"

The water got deeper and soon the old man had no choice but to climb up on his roof. The torrential rains persisted. While he was praying, he heard the chop-chop-chop of a helicopter in the sky. He looked up and saw the helicopter hovering over his house. A ladder had been lowered for him to climb.

"Go away," yelled the man at the helicopter. "You will blow me off my roof! God is going to save me! You go save someone else!"

The helicopter couldn't wait forever, so it left the old man on his rooftop, still praying. Eventually, the water engulfed the house and the old man perished in the flood.

When the old man arrived at the gates of heaven, he asked Saint Peter if he could have a talk with God. Peter took him to he throne of grace.

"Oh Lord, I prayed earnestly for the rains to stop and for your deliverance from the flood. But you left me there to drown. I don't understand!"

"My child, I heard your prayers. I sent you a four-wheel-drive truck, a rowboat, and a helicopter. Why did you send them away?"

Author Unknown

First of all, I want to thank all of you that have been praying for me over the past few weeks. I am so blessed to have friends like you guys. So let me ask you guys something. Has God ever answered one of your prayers in a way completely different than the way you would have done it?

As most of you know, my doctor told me to find a new job or work on my stress management. Like I said, I really don't feel stressed. Really! So after the doctor told me stress way killing me, I decided to get my resume together and start looking for a job. That was Friday, then on Sunday a fellow co-worker passed away. Man, what a crappy weekend. This is where God does His thing and throws me for a loop. The next week my boss presented my with an opportunity. At first I thought it was a demotion but know I realize it was a blessing is disguise.

God once again has answered my prayers in a completely different way that I ever expected. You see the man who passed away was going to retire in the near future. Our company hired a very cool young man to to replace another man who had retired earlier this year. Unknown to most of us, they had hired this guy not just to replace this first guy who retired but he was going to move up and replace the guy who passed away when he retired. (Have I lost anyone yet.) So this is where God's timing is always prefect. They promoted the young man this week and I am going to take his job. I know I am rambling but I am trying to make a point. My point, God always answers prayer, either yes, no or wait. The answer may not be how you thought it would be and it may not be when you want it, but He always answers. Man, our God is so cool.

I kind of feel like the guy in the flood, looking for one thing when God sends me something else. Only difference, I see God has answered my prayers and my friends prayers!

Thanks again for all your prayers. You guys are great.
God bless,
Joe

God, are You sure that's how You want to do it?