The Rain and the Dust

Two miracles occurred right here in Lindley the day before yesterday – Sunday, February 1st, my younger brother's birthday, no less.

A notice had been posted in Lindley's community group announcing a repentance prayer service for rain. I even bravely packed my rain jacket. After the service, we enjoyed coffee and a pleasant visit with fellow Lindley residents. The walk home was hot, with no rain clouds to offer relief.

That Sunday afternoon passed uneventfully in our small Free State town. Later, our cell phone signal suddenly returned, just in time for a call from a local farmer. He had visitors from Stoffberg and invited us to join them. Hearing the names of the Stoffberg visitors gave me goosebumps.

Sometime late last year, Wynand interviewed a farmer from Stoffberg on Radio Pulpit. The farmer described the Father-and-Son camps offered on his farm. As I listened, I felt a strong desire to meet him and spend time together. His devotion to the Lord and the fascinating camps prompted me to pray, asking if it might be possible to meet him.

Now, a few months after that prayer, the cell signal returned at precisely the right moment for my prayer to be answered. Marelise and I excitedly jumped into the car and navigated the roughly 10 kilometers of tar road, followed by 5 kilometers of dirt road, and then a kilometer or so of two-track path up to the farmhouse.

I was so thankful it hadn't rained after the prayer service, because the dirt roads would have been impassable.

My visit with the farmer was a true blessing and a joy straight from the Father's hand. I felt spoiled. And to top it off, there was even a sausage on the coals.

The Lord heard a simple prayer from an ordinary man, which fills me with humility.

Later in the evening, a sudden wind drove us inside, where we continued our visit. Rumbling thunder and flashes of lightning eventually urged us to say goodbye and head home along the dirt road. I was grateful the two-track path remained dry, ensuring we wouldn't get caught in the rain. Lightning flashed continually all around us, illuminating dark clouds. Just as we turned from the dirt road onto the tar road, it began to rain. Outside Lindley, the downpour forced me to drive slowly.

We arrived home safely, and two hours later, I fell asleep to the sound of pouring rain.

Two prayers, two miracles. But the most important thing is that one miracle had to wait so that another prayer could be answered.

Prayer for Humility:

Father, thank You for hearing and answering our prayers. I pray that we will pray with more faith and then wait for the answer from a place of rest, faith, and trust. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

God answered these prayers precisely and with wisdom, not in my time, but in His Heavenly timing.