AND THE WINNER IS...

The crowd anticipated the next words from the  master of ceremonies as he was about to reveal the first prize winner of $100.  This was to be awarded to a lucky person who attended a promotion of a local business.

When we entered the building, a worker was offering door prize tickets to be drawn from a box. I reached in and drew ticket number 1748. Although  our family was fairly new in Kamuela, Hawaii, I wouldn’t mind winning the top prize.

As the presentation wound down, I had a little talk with the Lord:

Father, if there is someone here who is just learning what You have been teaching me — the power of my expectancy in thoughts, words, attitudes  and deeds that puts movement to my faith in You, then I definitely will defer to them.

Now, Father, I really would like that $100 prize, and I ask You for favor, but if there is someone here  like I just described  and in addition,  if there is someone here whom You would like to bless so that they would acknowledge it was from You and not just “luck”, I will prefer them.

 However, if  these two categories aren’t represented by anyone in this audience, then I step up and claim the $100 prize.

Now it was time for the drawing of the first prize.   I heard the first three numbers  proclaimed over the loudspeaker :

Number “1.”  Number “7.”   Number”4.”

Dramatic pause: “8!”

I won!  I got pretty  teary, and wondered if anyone was surprised over my reaction.  After all, it wasn’t $1,000!

Father, since I’ve been born again, I know

You are real, and You have blessed me so much, but what touches me tonight  and really saddens me, is that apparently, there are not a lot of people in this crowd that do not know what a generous , personal God You are, just waiting to respond to requests of faith on earth.  

How was I going to spend the $100?

I did put some of my prize money in the church offering plate, and the greater portion went toward purchasing a special graduation dress for my eldest daughter’s high school graduation from Honokaa High in 1977.

It would be one of many lessons from Heavenly Father to demonstrate He wanted His children to  be abundantly blessed and learn how things work in His kingdom.