Prayer.

I'm blown away by how much prayer makes a difference. By how spending time on my knees before Him - listening, praising, requesting - fills me with confidence and peace. By how miserable I sometimes am if I don't take time to pray. And by how I can see God clearly and specifically answering prayer.

I often look at the list of people who may be interested in the opportunity to be involved in my work with ICI and make excuses for them. They're probably too busy to meet, they probably can't give, they probably only care about overseas missions. I shouldn't even bother them. Recently I've considered removing a few from that list. I tried unsuccessfully to contact some, and am pretty sure others just won't be interested. A few days ago I sat down, looked at those names, and prayed. Should I continue to pursue them, or just highlight and tap "delete"? I decided to wait and see if God might give me some insight. "Lord, open doors, give me clarity of thought and speech, help me to know if I should contact them or just give up."

That very day one of those people contacted me.

The next another approached me after church, overheard my conversation with a ministry partner and wanted to know more. 

Immediate, direct answer to prayer. 

Why do I doubt?

God doesn't always answer the way I want him to. Some of the people I've asked Him to bring on my team He already has involved in other ministries. "No, Cristina, these aren't the ones. I have different plans for them. And others I want you to know." 

He doesn't always answer that clearly or quickly. I've spent long hours crying out to Him on behalf of family or friends, asking why He delays. I've asked for clear direction for a decision in my life only to realize I have to make it on my own using the wisdom and reasoning He's already given me. I can't always see the results of my praying.

But His clear involvement in all that I'm doing now gives assurance that I am doing the right thing. That my progress in support raising is definitely not by my own doing. And I know it is not just my prayer, but all of your prayers He is answering. Thank you!

Side note: My neighbor's tree is blooming. I love spring!