I saw a post a while ago, first that mentioned that of course there is a God, because he created all these wonderful things for us. And the second post was about how God is more like some sort of chef that should be in the back kitchen, but you put your order in, and nothing comes out. People tell you to keep trying, so you try again and again, and you never get a response.

I understood that feeling. I have often felt that my heartfelt prayers went unanswered. I would plead that I could receive something to get me through a difficult time, and then nothing came.

But then I wondered about that metaphor: God doesn’t have a menu. God does not give what we ask of him, bending his will to what we think we need.

There have been many times in my life when my prayers have been answered in ways I did not expect, and sometimes in ways that were frustrating to me. But they were answered, even if it took a long time for me to see it.

God sometimes gives me what I ask for, but sometimes he gives me something completely different. My life is very different than I expected or wanted, and it has been beautiful and miraculous, even when it has been difficult.

If we are waiting for prayers to be answered in a certain way on a certain timetable, then we will be disappointed. But prayers are still answered. I’ve had evidence of that over and over again in my life, mostly as God helps me become a better person.