The Magic Bullet. In my opinion, one of the greatest “as seen on TV’ products EVER.
I remember the first time I saw the infomercial. It was February 2005 and that fun, happy sales pitch mesmerized my daughter and me.
Sarah contracted pneumonia that winter and missed a week of school. Besides the high-powered antibiotics, I had to administer nebulizer treatments and percussion therapy (what we called “back whacks”) every three hours to help her lungs to clear.
The daytime treatments weren’t a problem, but the nights were challenging. I decided that watching television might help her stay awake, so we channel-surfed. We weren’t interested in replays of SportsCenter or newscasts, but the Magic Bullet captured our attention.
Night after night, we watched the pitchman make guacamole, chicken salad and smoothies. It didn’t take long for their marketing “arrow” to find its target in my sick little girl. Sarah HAD to have a Magic Bullet.
She begged for months:
“But mom, you LOVE guacamole!” (It’s true. I do love me some Mexican food.)
“Just THINK of all the smoothies we could make!” (Also true.)
“PLEASE, mom – we NEED a Magic Bullet!” (Arguably true.)
Sometimes I wonder if I sound like that when I pray. I ask for direction, open doors, opportunities, etc. And I constantly pray for my children. For their protection, character, decisions, relationships, spouses, opportunities, career paths, etc. I wonder if God ever thinks,
“Hey Suz, I GOT IT.”
Do my repeated requests get on His nerves? Does our omnipotent Creator even HAVE nerves that I can GET on?
As it turns out, He doesn’t.
And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones,
who cry out to him day and night?
Will he keep putting them off?
~Luke 18:7
My persistent prayers might sound like a broken record in my ears, but God somehow listens for days on end and isn’t fazed in the least. He hears the cry of my heart and tucks it away in His, answering in His perfect way and in His perfect timing. And so I persist.
Sarah persisted and was rewarded with her long-awaited Magic Bullet that next Christmas, but my prayers aren’t always answered in such a timely and tidy fashion. I can see Him beginning to answer some of my prayers, but others? Not so much. It can be easy to get discouraged and wonder if God is listening or if He even cares.
But He does. And His goal is to grow us and glorify Himself in whatever we’re praying about.
In our persisting, one thing we can do is ask Him to reveal any selfish motives behind our prayers. As we discover and confess those, He begins to purify our motives and transform our hearts.
And transforming hearts can overflow with peace, joy and patience, even when the wait is long.
Oh how this household loves the magic bullet!!! I think as I persist in prayer God has taught me to be patient, to be obedient and that He is forever faithful! Happy Wednesday to you.
I think Sarah and Jenny could do the next MB infomercial. They need jobs anyway
Whether you realize it or not, you’ve taught me a lot about prayer and perseverance. I’ve seen Him pour His grace and faithfulness into you, and you turn around and pour that right back out and into the lives of your family.
You ROCK and I’m thankful to be your friend. Love you
This is too funny. I guess when I went to post my comment, I hit the button twice. Look what popped up:
Duplicate comment detected; it looks as though you’ve already said that!
I am so Thankful that God doesn’t work that way! Haha
Happens to me all the time, and YES – I’m thankful God doesn’t do that. He’d flag me as a “spammer” for sure!!
Yike….ME???? Motives????….as long as I’m “IN MY TENT” my heart overflows with peace, joy and patience…..It’s the “WORLD” that I have issues with! Timely blog, Susan!
LOL – I hear ya on that!! I’m the godliest person EVER in my nest. If only the rest of the world could get it’s act together, huh?
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a great day in OR out of the tent! I’m in the nest today
~S
I think the thing I’m learning the most (finally–it has certainly taken a long time to get through my thick skull) is that His timing is not mine. I know there are times I ask and ask and remind Him, and He’s saying, “Yes, I know. Just wait and you’ll see what I have planned.”
But praise Him, He still patiently listens. In Shannon Mullins’ online Bible study, we’re in Psalms and it has been a joy to see how many times the same prayer is prayed. (Obviously we’re not the first to repeat our requests!) And time and time again, God answers. In His time.
Thank you for always pointing me to the Father and to our Savior!
SO true, and what a mess we’d have if things happened the way we ask!!
Thanks for stopping by, Vonda. Praying for you & the faculty as you prepare for next week
This is a great post my friend! I think the most that I’ve learned through prayer lately is what Vonda said-His timing isn’t mine. If it were my timing, I’d be out of a negative environment and into a peaceful one, like with you, Nan, Edie or Vonda! I know that with you 4, I wouldn’t have to endure that mess. As far as being the Godliest in your tent, you’re that in or out…at least in my oppinion! The 4 of you know how to minister to women, and you all do it so well! Love you sweet friend!
Thanks, Jamie. You’re teaching the four of us about perseverance in prayer, and He is faithful and is giving you the grace and patience you need to hang in there. The Lord is using you in your environment, so keep being salt and light!!
Glad you stopped by this morning. Hope you have a great day, sweet girl
She neeeeeeeeeeded that Magic Bullet!!! (aahh…memories of Israel are returning!)
I am grateful that our God doesn’t tire of me. And being in that constant state of prayer is right where He wants me, for sure.
Now…whatever you do….don’t let her watch the Ninja infomercial…….;)
Ohhh, the things sweet Sarah NEEEEEEEEDS… you can imagine. But so far, no Ninja
And you’re right about the constant state of prayer. If I don’t live there, I get distracted and get in all KINDS of trouble!
So glad you swung by today. Love you
Oh, I love the magic bullet! And I love this post. Yes, God does want to hear us. I have found that the prayers I let loose in, I mean really cry out and beg, are followed by the greatest peace.
Thank you for leaving a lovely comment on the Allume blog. I look forward to getting to know you!
Thank you so much for stopping by, Tereasa — it’s good to let loose with our Heavenly Father! I was captivated by your testimony, and I’m always excited to hear how the Lord brings healing and deliverance and sweet freedom to His girls.
If y’all want to be blessed, check out Tereasa’s inspiring story here: http://allume.com/2012/05/her-story-freedom-from-spiritual-abuse/
As I persist in prayer, God teaches me to be open to His answers. Oftentimes I pray with a predetermined answer that I’m looking for. As I pray, God reminds me that He often meets the hidden need behind my request in ways I’d never expect.
Exactly, Jodi! How many times do we miss His answer because we’re focused on something else? Ugh, I confess I’m guilty of it too many times. I’m thankful for His patience and for the way He patiently expands my field of vision.
Thanks for your insight. I’m always happy to see your name in the comment list.
“He hears the cry of my heart and tucks it away in His.” Rich. Loved that!!
You always bless me! And so many others!! Big hugs and lots of love to you!
And sadly, I still don’t have a Magic Bullet. Someday.
Kristi, you are SWEET. And girl, we have GOT to get you a Magic Bullet… We’ll do that on our next trip
Sus, I bet you God thinks I am a broken record….I never stop until my prayers are answered, I don’t care if it is delayed but it got answered.
I guess we’re all a part of the “broken record club,” huh? Thanks for stopping by, Anita. Hope you get to see Jenny and the kids soon. Your Facebook post made me sad :’(
I have been persistently praying for financial relief for the last two years, at time growing frustrated and even angry. Finally last week I was driving to my job and I said, “Lord, all this time I’ve forgotten you are in control and even my best efforts can’t match yours.” After this, I turned things back over to him, and the situation has not improved yet, but I know it will in HIS perfect time. Thank you for the inspirational post and a reminder of His love and unfailing mercy.
Amberr, I’m glad you were encouraged by my blonde thoughts
I’m adding you to my Monday prayer list. Just this week changed it up – anybody who drops by and comments on my Monday post gets prayed for throughout the week, and you just joined the group.
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Your provision is on its way, so keep your eyes on Him!
Before we got the magic bullet, everyone laughed and made fun of me for wanting it! And now that we have one, our lives have never been the same
Who would have thought that me begging for the magic bullet would teach us about prayer?
Aunti Sandi, I haven’t seen the Ninja infomercial! But you better believe I’m going to youtube it right now and probably start begging for that in the near future!
love you mommy!
Shame on us for thinking the MB was a gimmicky gadget. It ROCKS!
Now I gotta check out that crazy Ninja… now that you and Scott are gone, I don’t really want a whole lot more life change… Just sayin’
I LOVE YOU!
Nothing has taught me perseverance more than prayer; I often think it’s one of God’s chief goals in giving us the privilege of communicating directly with Him. This makes all the dialog with my kids teachable moments – thanks!
You’re absolutely right, Kirsten – the ability to talk to Him 24/7 opens the door to non-stop prayer! And I don’t know about you, but having kids drives me to my knees 24/7
Thanks for stopping by today!
~S
I can totally relate to this. The Lord doesn’t tire of our requests and is never too overwhelmed to hear my cries for help and wisdom. I’ve seen the Magic Bullet and I wonder if your daughter found it as marvelous as she expected. Little things in this world match up to my expectations but Jesus has always, in His perfect way, shown Himself to be immeasurably more. So glad Kristi told me about you!
The Magic Bullet is a handy little gadget, but you’re right about earthly things never quite living up to the hype. So glad we serve a God Who exceeds our wildest imaginations!!
Thanks for commenting, Cindy – I’m so glad you came by my site! Hope we can somehow connect at WP
The Lord has taught me that He is never late in answering our prayers!