God Answers But Not On Our Timeline

This is the second part of the story shared by a man from Norfolk , VA. He shared with a local radio station two years after the tragedies of 9/11/2001. I shared the first part of the story yesterday. This conversation took place right after the the attacks on the twin towers 9/11/2001.

"...My father (retired NYFD) also had more news for me; he was going to help. 'This is not something I can't just sit by for; I have to do something.' I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, 'take good care of my grandchild.' Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort.

My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say good-bye. Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child. The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.'

He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said, 'there is something else you need to know.' His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news."

God always answers but not always in the ways we expect and not always in our timing. God has perfect timing, trust Him! I don't know why God waited to let this man know about his dad. But I do know God's timing is perfect and my faith is not. King Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 3: 11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet, no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

I will never fully understand God's big plan on this earth or even in my life. But I can have hope through Him even when I cannot comprehend what is going on. I have no idea how he will pull something off but He will. You know, I like to ask Him to show off - meaning show me something I could never even imagine! Isaiah 55: 9, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." His ways are higher than the heavens but He is right there waiting on our call. While we wait He is right there to comfort us, strengthen us and give us peace. Philippians 4: 6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Instead of trying to understand His timing, I can trust His timing. Look back on all the ways He has worked in your life and you will see His faithfulness never fails. He is faithful beyond belief! Psalm 77: 11, "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago."

God’s timing doesn’t match my pining!