Have you ever become seriously
annoyed or impatient upon entering a busy area and not being able to locate a
parking space?
Some people even become
frustrated to the point where they turn their vehicles around and head back
home.
It is not a surprise, then, that
in the most recent report on reasons why people in the USA choose to attend one
church over another, parking tops the
list.
I learned this a long time ago -
if it’s important enough to make you cuss and swear, pray about it.
Twelve years ago in Orlando,
Florida, while we were on one of our family vacations. My sister and her
husband joined us. I remember each time we would come in from shopping, my
sister's husband would get very fussy about the parking. There were even times
he would say the opposite of what he wanted -- like we all do at times.
One day he blurted out, “I will
not get a good parking space.” Of course we all know what a good parking space
means. For those who don’t it is getting a spot very close to your destination
or the main entrance.
I think you know the result on
that day.
After a while, I said to him, “You should speak what you want, instead of the other way around. Furthermore you should pray each time.” I prayed, and we received the best spot you could get on the block.
Today, as I travelled into one of
the busiest plazas in Kingston, JAMAICA, I said to my two sons, ages 7 and 2. “Let
us pray for a parking spot.” I then whispered a prayer.
We drove past an entire section
and saw no available parking. In fact, we passed several cars stopped on the
side of the roadway with the drivers in their seats and the engines running.
We drove around to the other side
of the lot, and I slowed, not seeing any sign of a parking space. Then
suddenly, the brake lights of a white minivan came on, as he was reversing, a
BMW car up ahead was coming out as well, then an SUV, and finally, a grey car.
It was almost hilarious, as they all
had to wait for the one car slightly ahead to get out before they could
complete their reversing.
This also had the advantage of me
having four spaces available to me all at once without the threat of being run
over.
I could choose between shade or
100% sun. It felt good and my older son celebrated as I said, “That is why I
pray for parking space.”
I would rather praise or pray
rather than use my energies to fight on my own over what isn't going the way I
want it to.
Today, make that conscious choice
to pray when next you drive into a
car park. You too will realize it does more for you than any other response; plus
you develop an excellent spirit.
- J. D. Gordon
Author of the Pour Out in Me Prayer Journal and The Colour and Power of Your Thoughts