As the August heat beat down upon Montana, my thoughts drifted back to the cold of last October when several feet of snow caught us all by surprise.
I remembered the other thing that had taken me off guard — the rising cost of propane. The thought of facing that challenge again this year left me uneasy. How could my budget withstand such a burden? But God knew my fear before I ever spoke it.
Not long after, a surprise came rumbling down my driveway — a huge truckload of firewood. My heart leapt with joy. You see, we Montanans get excited over simple things like firewood. It means warmth, security, and the promise of a cozy home during long, frigid winter nights.
Then, the astounding happened — another truckload arrived an hour later. And another after that. Soon, my entire parking area was filled with beautifully cut wood. Tears of gratitude streamed down my face as I stood there, overwhelmed by the abundance. My heart was so full that words seemed inadequate to express my thanks to the Lord — the true Giver of every good gift.
“How do you explain? How do you describe — a love that goes from east to west and runs as deep as it is wide?”
Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 14:15, “I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.” Sometimes words simply cannot carry the weight of what our heart feels.
Casting Crowns puts it beautifully in their song Listen to Our Hearts: “You know all our hopes. Lord, You know all our fears. And words cannot express the love we feel, but we long for You to hear. So listen to our hearts — hear our spirits sing.”
William Arthur Ward once wrote, “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
This winter, every time I see that stacked firewood, I am reminded that God not only hears my prayers — He answers them abundantly. My driveway may be full of wood, but my spirit is full of praise.
"Lord, thank You for knowing my needs before I ever speak them. Thank You for Your overflowing provision and Your love that never runs dry. Teach me to trust You in every season — whether my driveway is empty or full — and to let gratitude overflow from my heart. Amen."
Questions to Ponder • Where has God surprised you with an answer to prayer — big or small?
• How can you turn your gratitude into praise today, even if your prayer hasn’t been answered yet?