Off the Hook

This week my sister has been in meetings during the day and having some work dinners in the evening. This has been very inconvenient to me as we are (ok, I am) trying to book our "quarantine cruise." (Back in November we went on a cruise as a family and Chrissie and I got sick and were quarantined in our cabin for 2 days - couldn't leave the room for 48 hours! - so we have a credit from the cruise line which has to be used by 1/8/09 - thus the reason for the push to a decision!).

Isn't it funny how the more we can't reach someone, the more urgent our "need" to talk to them becomes? I became obsessed with all these things I needed to talk to her about. Even today she's on IM, but is in meetings, so she can't really carry on a conversation.. blast it, when will she be back at my beck-and-call!??! :) Gee, when did I get so demanding and needy?

This makes me grateful that there is One who never takes His phone off the hook - One who is always available, always has time for me, and who loves me far beyond what I can even appreciate. But am I seeking Him out? Am I dialing His number?

Call to Me
and I will answer you
and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
- Jeremiah 33:3

and call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.
- Psalm 50:15

Oh that I would call Him, more often and first... He is worthy of all praise and honor, and yet He delights to incline His ear to His children. Last night my dear boyfriend called and was telling me of someone close to him that needs prayer. He suggested that we pray for them when we get together again - but I said hey, why don't we pray now, on the phone - so we did. Why put off tomorrow what we can do today? And are our prayers any less effective over the phone? No, nor are they more effective if made in a church from a kneeler with eyes closed or from behind the wheel of a car careening down the highway. No, what the Lord cares about is the attitude of our hearts.

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
- James 5:16b

Remember, we just bring the request to the feet of Him who is able to do all things. He is the One who can do something about it...

.. amazing.. amazing grace.