Short Story that illustrates how the Lord always answers our prayers, just not always how or when we may expect it. 

My dear friend K’Lisa related this personal story to me. It’s a perfect example of how the Lord is always mindful of us, even in the small details of our lives. He is always there watching over us and oftentimes, teaching us a lesson.

This is her story… 

In the scriptures, we hear about the pride cycle. I have been shown a pride cycle of my own. It started with murmuring.

I’ve been murmuring a lot lately. Mainly about my vehicle. First, the battery was dying every night and every day after work. I finally got that fixed and then it started acting up in a different way. My mom lives only 15 minutes away. It was taking 45 minutes to an hour to get there because of it acting up.

I went to a car lot that was running a special, thinking that maybe it was in God’s plan for me to get a new car so I could have reliable transportation, better gas mileage, and I would have a way to visit my husband who is temporarily living 7 hours away. With a new car, I wouldn’t have to worry about my vehicle all of the time. Unfortunately, that did not work out. Even with the special, it was still too much for us to afford right now.

That was on a Friday. Saturday I was really murmuring. Then Sunday morning came.

Sunday my four kids were getting along, we got ready for church, and then we go out to the vehicle…and I can’t find my keys. My son had used them earlier that morning to unlock it and get his stuff out. I had him retrace his steps. We spent 30 minutes looking for them before I told the kids, “Nevermind, we aren’t going to church.” I could have called someone to come get us but I was too angry. I cleaned my son’s room and went through the hallway but no luck and I was tired. You hear all kinds of stories of people praying to find something and voila they find it, so I decided to give it a shot.

But Monday came and went with me cleaning/destroying the house and still no keys! I even looked in the fridge and freezer – faith without works is dead, right?! I had to be thorough. Monday night my kids and I prayed again.

Tuesday I was stressing how to get to work, how to get a babysitter, etc. Here is where my pride set in. I could have called many people, I’m sure, but I didn’t want to be a bother. I was irritated I hadn’t found the keys, I was embarrassed. Doesn’t God usually help the lost be found by now?

We prayed again.

During this time we couldn’t just go to the store when we wanted, we couldn’t go to the park, we couldn’t go out to Grandma’s. Again my pride came into play. I could have asked people to help get us to places, but I didn’t. In the scriptures God usually puts people through trials to test their faith and humble them, and so was the case with me.

Thursday came and I swallowed my pride. I did ask my sister if I could borrow her truck to get around. She let me. Then that night as I was cleaning the house some more, I came across a box that I had been throwing stuff into and moving around as I cleaned. I decided it finally needed to be taken out. Then it dawned on me. That was the only place I hadn’t looked. I opened the flaps and there were the keys, sitting right on top. I couldn’t believe it.

God did answer my prayer, just not as fast as in other stories that I have heard. God needed to teach me a lesson before He helped me find my keys and in order to humble me.

Any vehicle is better than no vehicle is the lesson I learned. Also that the Lord always answers our prayers just not always how or when we expect it.

I know my Heavenly Father loves me and knows me and He has a plan for me, I just have to remember to have faith in His plan. He knows what’s best for me. I am so thankful for the gospel and the peace it gives us in time of trial.

He didn’t fix my vehicle, he didn’t make money magically appear to fix my vehicle. He didn’t dangle my keys in front of me so I could see them. He didn’t urge someone from the ward to show up miraculously on my doorstep to help get me to work and take care of my kids. He made me try to figure it out, humble myself, and accept His plan. This is how testimonies are strengthened, faith is strengthened, and how we are able to draw ourselves closer to Christ and endure through the next trial and to the end.

For a beautiful song by David Archuleta entitled My Little Prayer that goes perfectly with this story, Click HERE

Yours Truly,

P.S. Stories are a powerful way to teach gospel principles. The Savior is a great example of this as the scriptures are filled with stories and parables that He taught during His ministry. Be sure you are kept aware of all the newest short stories that are shared here in Melanie’s Library. Sign up to have inspiring resources delivered right to your inbox!