Listen. We often think our wishes go unanswered. Sometimes they do but there are many times when we get exactly what we asked for. And this can go for just about anything: career desires, relationships, finances, etc.

I have so many examples here. I’ll just pick a couple that stands out above all over the years. To start with career moves. We all can relate to desiring promotions. Most of the times we want these promotions by any means necessary. One thing I’m good at is not overly tooting my own horn.

For instance, I know just because I’ve been on a job for a number of months or years doesn’t automatically qualify me for a promotion. I get real real with myself and my skills. So when it’s time for me to move on, I’m either looking for something different laterally OR I’m looking for a promotion based on my skill sets.

There has been a time when I got offered a lateral position but really had to consult with God prior to rendering an answer. Only to hear from Him that it wasn’t time to go. So I stayed. Stayed knowing that I had a desire to leave, but it wasn’t time to go yet.

Years later…I’m so happy I didn’t move! I would’ve missed my current opportunity had I moved too fast. I wouldn’t have been in position. At the time, I didn’t know this of course. But in hindsight, I know He ordered my steps and I’m thankful I followed.

Another super funny example is a relationship I had many many years ago. Well not really a relationship. He wasn’t my boyfriend and I wasn’t his girlfriend, I don’t think. But we were heading in that direction.

You see…I had been sick and tired and sick and tired of being unequally yoked with guys. And maybe that’s a little drastic. They would “believe” in God and Jesus but it never showed up in their actions. No praying, no church going, no reading, no church going, no referencing Him, and no church going. I think you get my drift. (Yes, I know there is more to it than just going to church.) And I wanted him to be sweet, caring, and full of chivalry.

So I started being very specific. I know you’ve heard that an order to get prayers answered, you should be specific. Well I started being real specific! I needed him to be a REAL believer, I wanted him to attend church on a regular basis, and I wanted him to take the spiritual lead in the relationship. Y’all I wanted him to “Luv God” the way I loved Him!

Well this one guy…oh my. He loved God. He prayed a Thanksgiving prayer over every meal! Every last one of them y’all. Even if we were on the phone, he prayed over us before we got off the phone to go to sleep. He even called me at work early in the mornings and greeted me, “Good morning beautiful. Close your eyes.” I’d be sitting at my desk with my eyes closed while this man prayed an alter-call type prayer over my day.

Listen. I’m not lying! And for chivalry…he was opening doors, letting me in, and putting my dog gone seat belt on. One time my shoe was untied…he sat me down and tied my shoes! At dinner, after the Thanksgiving prayer, he would fix my plate if we had platters. Y’all I can’t make this ish up.

Needless to say…he scared the mess out of me. I had to get away. I didn’t trust it. It felt foreign. He wanted us to fix sandwiches and take them out to the streets to minister and feed the homeless. Y’all it was too much!

I needed my behind whipped! I asked for it! I sure did! All of that I asked for and I got. By time I realized what had happened, I recall driving on 285 South in Atlanta; looking and pointing up to the sky and said “God you really have a sense of humor. You funny.” Talking and wagging my finger to the sky.

I’m sure you can relate to wagging your finger too at your situations that came to mind while reading this. We all have them…just be careful. Be careful of what you ask for. One way to keep from making critical mistakes, I always ask God to order my steps. I make my requests known but if it’s His will…

Thanks for your attention. Remember you are your own competition.

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