Praying

Last night we had our first ladies' bible class of the new quarter. I am so excited about it because I need it!

First of all, it's a ladies only class, and this quarter it's all the ladies - both young and "young at heart". There is so much to learn from older generations. I'm a little intimidated to speak with so many women in the class, but I'm hoping that will help me learn to listen more.

Secondly, it is a class on prayer. What, when, where, and how the bible teaches us to pray. Last night was really just the introduction to the class, but it's already got me thinking about a few things. Am I praying enough? Am I asking more than I'm being thanking? Am I doing a good job teaching Will to pray? and what about Nathan? Can we be more consistent in our thanksgiving for our food before we eat? Are my prayers becoming repetitious? being heard? being answered? We talked about a few of these things in class.

Thirdly, the men are using the same study book for guidance in their class. Jeff and I had a great discussion last night. I don't know why it's different to have him in one class and me in another and then share ideas afterwards, but I just like it better. We come from two different though processes, but arrive on the same page somehow.

This is also a good opportunity to share something that I hold close to my heart and find very comforting. Jeff prayed for me. Before we met, he prayed for a wife. He made a list of the attributes he wanted in a wife - physically, mentally, emotionally, etc. He prayed a specific prayer for the woman he wanted to marry. About two months later, I came into his life. Within two weeks of our meeting, there had been several things that came out in our conversations that struck him because they were things he had prayed about. In that same second week, after another "strike" he made the comment, "Don't be surprised if I ask you to marry me one day..." and here we are over 10 years later. Does God answer prayers? Absolutely, yes. Am I taking advantage of the wonderful opportunity that we have to speak with him? Not enough.

I've been really thinking about getting up earlier in the morning before the boys wake and spend that time devoted to God. I'd like at least 30 minutes, but even 5 minutes would start my days off better. If you have a devotional book that you really like that helps lead your own personal study time, please suggest it to me. I'm going to start looking for one. This is something I NEED to improve upon in my life.