Growing in trust: a sad answer to prayer
Did I trust anyone today? Yes!
Trusting in God – amidst and in spite of human disappointment
During the first phase of the refit, I worked with a boat builder who was in charge of the work. He did a neat and tidy job in many places. Unfortunately, not in all of them. In some places, it’s not such a big deal: if new paint has simply been sprayed over old paint on a ceiling and the new paint comes off along with the old when you bump your head against it, that’s annoying. However, if paint has been applied or insulation laid over areas of the hull that have not been derusted, or have not been derusted thoroughly, then that is not only annoying, but life-threatening. Any rust that has not been properly treated poses a hazard.
And so, over the past few months, I have been praying that God would draw my attention to any areas that still need attention. In the seminar room, I discovered a patch of black core rust in the bilge (at the keel of the ship) and another one a little further up.
Yesterday, someone helped me stick on some insulation. He hadn’t stuck it down properly at one corner, so I peeled the insulation off to show him how to do it properly. And suddenly I was holding not just the insulation, but a palm-sized chunk of paint and rust. I almost cried. It’s so frustrating when you can’t rely on the work someone else has done. (The black patches on the left in the picture are the rust spots; the large dark patch on the right is black insulation).
This morning, as I was talking to God about it, it dawned on me: my God answers my prayers. I had asked him to show me the areas that weren’t right. And the spot I found yesterday was a real stroke of luck… rust usually hides well under a coat of white paint.
Yes, I am sad that – despite the work I have done and paid for – there are still areas of the ship in poor condition. But I am grateful that we have already identified some of the really critical areas. God has clearly answered my prayer.
And I’m grateful to the people who help me. Last week, for instance, my cousin derusted and sealed with marine varnish around 15 square metres of the hull which, in my opinion and that of several boatbuilders I’d asked, hadn’t been treated at all. Now friends from Portugal are going over it again with primer – and then the insulation can go on. The whole thing has cost me an extra three weeks – which is very frustrating. But better safe than sorry.
In short: I am sad that things are the way they are. And grateful that God has answered my prayers. And grateful for the support I’ve received from people!
And I ask God to comfort me for the harm I have suffered… and I can’t wait to see what He comes up with!
I love stories about hearing voices. Even if they’re a bit of a heavy read. Thanks for sharing, Kerstin. I’m thinking of you.
Matthias
Thank you…!
I can well understand your frustration...
Personally, I’m finding it hard at the moment to accept that some prayers go unanswered or seem to take an age to be answered.
I believe God is capable of absolutely anything, which is precisely why I’m wondering why he doesn’t seem to be doing anything (yet?), when he is clearly „able“ to.
It makes it all the more wonderful that, especially in your situation, you’re able to see the positives and the guidance you’ve already received.
Keep that trust in you :)
Best regards,
petra
Dear Petra – thank you for your honest words. I also find waiting for prayers to be answered very trying… yet even then, it is both challenging and comforting to hold on to the belief that what Psalm 16 says is true: „God gives me what I need…“
Thanks for this psalm :)
Perhaps my task is to cultivate patience and trust, but it is by no means an easy one.
How do you „remind“ yourself that you are not alone, even in the apparent „silence“ from above? With passages from Scripture that speak of God’s promises (see Psalm)? Do you have any other „tips“?
Hello, Petra – for me, one of the key points is the exhortation „pour out your hearts to him…“ That always does me good.
…that’s true…that’s good advice, thanks :)
An experience like this is certainly frustrating and once again calls for a decision to forgive, but at the same time, you should know that you can always rely on God. Trust that it will work out for the best.
At least you now have a brilliant example to illustrate this: wherever we refuse to let God work on the rusty parts of our hearts and merely give them a pious veneer, our lives (as He intended them to be) are compromised. How good it is that He keeps bringing to light what seeks to destroy us.
Ships and their ailments – tradesmen and their botched work … every shipowner could write a book about it.
Don’t be sad – everything will work out fine. On the other hand, you’ll have to accept that work on a boat never really stops. A steel ship will always have spots that need rust removal; you can set aside half a day for that every 2–3 weeks. I hope that doesn’t put you off too much… it’s a bit like weeding the garden ;-)
Best regards
P.S. And today, there’s some good news to go with the post from a few days ago… After a year of uncertainty (regarding a health issue), everything is suddenly clear… That’s exactly what I’d been praying for… Thank you, dear God!
THANK YOU – to God for clarity… THANK YOU, Petra, for sharing… and for all your encouragement!
I'm really happy, and thanks for sharing in my joy :)