Homespun Prayers
Conversations with God
by
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Ain’t Over till the Fat Lady Sings
Zacharias and Elizabeth were godly folk, careful to obey all of God’s laws in spirit as well as in letter. But they had no children, for Elizabeth was barren; and now they were both very old.
—Luke 1:6–7 (TLB)
Lord, this phrase about opera has been used since 1978, but it could have been used back when Zacharias and Elizabeth were waiting for a baby. I don’t know how old they were, but possibly over fifty, even in their seventies, but who knows? Doesn’t matter, does it, Lord? The opera was not over; the fat lady had not sung; You still had plans. And You timed it well, even though back when they were young, they were probably upset that they didn’t have a child, possibly even wanted a big bunch of children like their friends and neighbors had. They waited and waited, waited and waited, and may have given up hope.
Suddenly, You show up—and so does a baby. A little boy, and You promise that the little boy will be something special, and You filled him with the Holy Spirit when he was born (Luke 1:15). The waiting was worth it. In their old age, they watched a little boy develop into a young man. Did they live long enough to see what he did for Your kingdom? I don’t know, but I hope they didn’t live long enough to see what King Herod did to him later during the ministry of Jesus.
Waiting. I don’t like it when it is something I really want. I can imagine how long that wait must have felt to Zacharias and Elizabeth. Help me to have faith and hang on with both hands as I wait for You to answer prayers and help me have faith that Your timing is perfect. The fat lady will sing at Your perfect timing. Through my Savior Jesus, who waited thirty years to start His ministry, I ask this.
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About the Book
Homespun Prayers is a collection of prayers seeking God’s will in life as the author strives to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. The author talks conversationally with God, using idioms to parallel scriptures and seeking His thoughts about scriptures and their application to daily decisions. Some of the prayers will give you reason to smile or laugh while others may bring tears to your eyes. You will be encouraged to “pray continuously” about whatever is facing you at the moment.
About the Author
Linda Gainey Smock grew up on a small farm in the panhandle of Florida. At the feet of her parents, other family members, teachers, and church leaders, she learned to apply the idioms used in daily conversation to her life and to apply Biblical teachings to her choices.
Linda attended Florida State University and the University of South Florida and has taken classes through several other colleges. She continues to take on-line classes, with Bible Study Fellowship classes among her favorites. Other current classwork includes horticulture, gardening, and her special interest of trees, especially pines.
Linda spent thirty-two years in public education and twelve years in Christian education, all in the area of St. Petersburg, Florida. She has taught Sunday school classes since she was fourteen. During the last fifty years, she has taught classes for all ages except infants. She still enjoys teaching and speaking when her health permits it.
Linda loves the great outdoors, is a Master Gardener, and a want-to-be-birdwatcher. She enjoys butterflies and butterfly gardening. She also enjoys her extended family and her church family. Although married for twenty years, she does not have children and so has enjoyed spoiling her brother’s grandchildren.