THINGS YOU DO NOT KNOW

Prayer: Dear Lord, We want to be faithful to what You have called us to, O Lord. We ask for help. Thank you. Amen

Scripture: This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it–the Lord is His name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:2-3 NIV

Angie sat at her desk staring at her test score. “I can’t believe I made a D” she moaned. As her teacher, Mrs. Smith, passed by her desk again still passing out papers, Angie complained a little louder,” If my grades slip I won’t be allowed to cheer at the state basketball championship.” No one turned to comfort her. She continued her pity party at her desk with deep sighs, laying her head down and then throwing her arms up in the air, each time getting a little louder and more dramatic. Still, no one ran to console her. Mrs. Smith went over the test and announced that if anyone had any questions or concerns she would see them after class. The bell rang and everyone pushed out the door, even Angie.

The next morning there was a note in Mrs. Smith’s mailbox that Angie’s mother would like to speak with her. Mrs. Smith picked up the phone and called her back immediately. “I appreciate you calling me back,” Mrs. Smith sensed an irritation in Angie’s mom’s voice. “Angie came home very upset yesterday about your test.” “It seems that you did not cover the material thoroughly, as Angie told us that you rushed through this chapter and there was material on the test that you did not even go over.” Mrs. Smith did not even have a second to respond as Angie’s mom continued, “We were hoping that you would be reasonable and consider finishing teaching the chapter and making sure your student’s had a chance to understand it and then allow them to re-take the test.” “These grades are important to these kids, you know.” “Angie will just be heartbroken if you take away her chance to cheer at the final basketball game. You know what a big deal that is.” Mrs. Smith wondered if Angie’s mom would ever pause to take a breath so she could get a word in edge-wise. Angie’s mom continued to protest and accuse Mrs. Smith listing all of Angie’s excuses for the “D”. As Mrs. Smith tried to interrupt to explain a few things, Angie’s mom quipped, “I see why Angie says you don’t listen. You are not even letting me finish.” Mrs. Smith had tried to be patient but now she had had enough.

“I am sorry that you and Angie feel that way,” Mrs. Smith began, “But I will tell you that we covered this chapter completely, I even gave the student’s a review day and a pre-test to help them prepare.” The other end of the phone was finally quiet. “I also stayed after school three days last week and came in early twice for anyone who needed extra help or had questions. In addition, I have had a study group during the lunch period twice a week all year long and student’s have my email address where they can send me questions from home that I check and reply to several times from home at night.” Mrs. Smith heard a faint, “Oh” from Angie’s mom. “I would consider giving a re-test if I felt that the student’s were treated unfairly, but since Angie was the only one with a grade below a B-, I feel that she just did not take advantage of all the opportunities to ask for help, and all of the other student’s are quite content with the grade they earned,” Mrs. Smith finished.

“Angie never asked for help?” her mom questioned. “No, not once” Mrs. Smith replied. “I am so sorry I accused you. It’s just that Angie told us…” Angie’s mom paused, “I apologize, we will deal with Angie” and she hung up. Angie slid into her seat just as the tardy bell rang. Mrs. Smith began teaching the next chapter in their book, giving careful instruction and opportunities to practice in the evening’s homework. “If you have any questions, or need any help, I am always here for you; you know how to reach me day and night,” Mrs. Smith reminded the class at the end of the period.

Do you need answers? Have you been at a loss over how to help a student resolve a problem at your school, or meet a need? Maybe your questions are more personal than professional. Have you asked God for help, or are you like Angie, who did not take advantage of her teacher’s almost constant availability to ask for help? Somehow she just decided she would figure it out, did not want to take the time to ask, or whatever her excuses were not to ask for help. God is available to you day and night, 24/7. His promises are in Scripture to prompt and encourage us to pray to Him, not to make us lazy, or worse, even expectant of Him. Yet I hear people blame Him for lack of help when they have never spent a moment in prayer asking for it. They blame Him for the mess in their lives, and for not watching out for them. They will even accuse a perfect God of overlooking them or doing something wrong, but never pause to ask His will or to follow His ways.

Yes, God knows what you need before you even ask, but in a relationship, you ask, not expect, not assume, not blame. I pray that you have not spent your precious time together with fellow prayer warriors asking for prayer over your great-aunt’s, neighbor’s, or friend’s cat. I love cats, God loves cats, but that is not why you are here at these meetings. It is time to get personal. Where do you need help? What unsearchable thing do you not know? How can we be praying for you?

My prayer for you is that you would call out to God for help and that He would answer you.

Copyright Kathy Branzell. Email [email protected]