Encouragement

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Randy
© 2005
by

Stephen A. Peterson


While still a child, Randy decided never to ask God for help unless he was in a desperate situation. Randy thought God was so busy having to deal with the daily disasters of other people. So he thought he would give God a hand by not bothering Him with the little stuff that went on in his life. Randy decided to confine his prayers to those of thanksgiving. In this way, his prayer would be pleasing to God and God would be pleased with his willingness not to bother a busy God.

Oddly enough, Randy’s relationship with God remained in this manner into his teenage years. He did ask God for a few things that he felt was terribly important to him---a new car, a beautiful girlfriend, lots of money, nice teachers, good teeth, no acne, accepting friends, plenty of food, good grades in high school, neat parents, and to be a football star (just a few things!). Randy’s prayers ended up being mostly a series of “may I have” and “thank you Lord for my goodies” strung together like matching colored beads.

During his junior year in high school, Randy’s grandfather died. This death so affected Randy that he grieved for nearly three years. During that period, Randy was so depressed that the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays caused him to retreat from interacting with family and friends. Rather than improve, Randy began isolating himself more and more. Even under these circumstances, Randy felt he should never bother God with his problems.

But then Randy thought: “If my God and Isaiah’s God are one and the same, why do I assume He can’t handle anymore strain than the president of a huge corporation or an international or national leader?” He thought further: “Why not take my burden to the only One who is not surprised, gets tired or is overwhelmed by every disaster.”

Randy went to his bedroom window and looked upward “God,” Randy said. “This has been a really tough year for me and I don’t feel thankful Lord. I don’t even want to participate in any holidays but I have to for the sake of my family and friends so that they’ll be happy. Lord, I’m so broken and unhappy about my granddad’s death. Lord, help me. Please, Lord take away my depression and anger at my grandfather for having died. Lord take away my depression so that I can be a blessing to those around me.”

No sooner had Randy turned from his bedroom window than he felt his depressed feelings drained from him, peace, happiness and joy replaced his depression. It was at that point Randy knew that he would never under estimate God’s unconditional love and His power ever again!

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