For one friend recently, the thought of seeing flowers again was almost never going to happen. Recently, we will call her Connie, was feeling weak and dizzy. Being near the bathroom, she attempted to sit and rest on the toilet. Then, before she could get her balance, she tumbled into the bath tub.

For most of us, that would not be a giant problem–embarrassing, yes, but not a problem. For Connie, however, living alone, and due to age and health conditions, she was unable to extract herself from this temporary prison. Leaning against the back of the tub, with legs extended toward the faucets, she wondered what next.

She began to pray that someone would find her. She did not have a telephone near enough to reach. She just prayed, and more specifically she prayed for help from a friend Kris.

Day one passed and no one came. Connie prayed some more, trusting that the Lord would send help. Since she also loved to phone people, and often more than once a day, she prayed that Kris would notice that she had not called and would check on  her.

Day two and no one came. She was beginning to be very thirsty but was unable to reach to water faucet at the other end of the tub. More prayers. She was trembling a bit now.

The sunrises on day three, as our lonely one remains in the tub. She continues to trust God and pray. Meanwhile as daylight comes, her friend Kris thinks perhaps she should check on Connie. Calling on the phone, she gets no response. She drives over to her apartment, sees Connie’s car, so goes to the door, and knocks. No answer. She calls out. No answer.

Kris then knocked on a neighboring apartment door, and asked if they had a key. No key, but the lady called the landlord. Shortly he arrived, unlocked the door, only to realize that the safety chain was engaged. Kicking the door open, they entered the room and heard a faint voice. Kris went in search and discovered the missing person.

Kris and the landlord helped her out of the tub, gave her small sips of water and called 911. Shortly Connie was resting in the hospital and later spent about a week in rehab.

The wonderful thing was that our rescued soul continually reminded us, that God answered her specific prayers for Kris to come and find her.

How often we pray, and then wonder if God heard that prayer, or if He will answer. We begin to doubt. As I prepared to write one of my weekly essays that week, the title became, Rub-A-Dub-Dub; Three Days in a Tub. I shared that not only did we have focused, specific prayer, and not only was it answered in a marvelous way, but our faithful Christian continued to remember to thank God for His intervention.

Yes, I think Connie is delighted that she will be able to view the sunflowers for another year. Please, as you pray be aware of answers to those petitions and then, don’t forget to thank the giver of all good gifts – God himself.

PS: Last Sunday Connie was back in class. She was still a bit weak, but smiling and enjoying the companionship of our class members. As I was writing this blog, she called, to let me know that she would be coming to our class party on February 14th. We rejoice.

Isn’t the Lord great.