Trust

The Flyer

My daughter knocked on my bedroom door. I opened it to find her holding the Car Dealership Flyer, I had given her yesterday. She had completed the scratch-off sections and according to her, I had won a car. She enjoyed doing scratch off tickets. When she was a child, she also loved scratch off stickers that released a pleasant scent. Could my daughter’s enjoyment of scratch-and-sniff stickers have just led to me winning a car? Her husband was sure it was a scam, however there she stood clutching the flyer waiting for me to decide if I thought it was possible.

I had been on the phone with my sister. I quickly told my sister what was going on and hung up to investigate the flyer. I was skeptical at first thinking; it might be a scam to just get people to come into the dealership. This world is full of scams and schemes. I tried to not be hopeful. I googled the car dealership to see if the numbers matched the number to call on the flyer. They did not. I decided I would report it to the dealership. I called the dealership, and the receptionist said it was not a scam and that I should quickly call the number on the flyer, because this was the last day and prizes had to be claimed today or they would be forfeit. I called the number on the flyer and confirmed I had a winning number. I had 45 minutes to get to the dealership to claim my prize.

The Long Drive

I got my son-in-law to drive me. He was a faster and safer driver. Even though he was skeptical, he did not complain and graciously drove me to the dealership. Chris thought he could get me there in 30 minutes which give me roughly 10-15 minutes to claim my prize. During our 30-minute drive I tried to calm down and pray. I had been in almost constant prayer and was trying to resist the temptation to ponder the possibility. I found myself trying to plan a what-if scenario should I really win a car. The flyer had pictures of past winners holding their flyer. I was concerned. I did not have time to put on make-up, change cloths and make myself picture worthy. I told Chris I was concerned that if I did really win that I might have to get my picture taken. Chris jokingly told me to just do an exaggerated wildly happy smile, and no one would recognize me. We both laughed as I practiced exaggerated wildly happy smiles for the potential picture.

The Event

When we arrived at the dealership it was filled with people, multi-colored balloons, streamers and even a police car. It looked like an event was coming to an end. We quickly parked and I told the first employee that I came across that I needed to see a prize coordinator. The young man informed that he was a prize coordinator. He looked at his watch and confirmed we still had time to claim my prize. He took us into the showroom, had us sit at one of the many white tables crammed into the showroom. He told me I had 10 minutes to claim my prize. I quickly told him that I had called and confirmed my flyer ID was valid, and I had a winning car prize on my scratch-off. As I watched his reaction, I knew I did not have to worry about getting my picture taken today. He wrote down my personal information and explained I had won something as he continued to ask questions about my car. The word “something” was now stuck in my head like an annoying song.

His lack of excitement that I had won a car spoke volumes to me. Winning a car was no big deal at this dealership or the fine print on the flyer that I looked for had somehow been misread. He explained that only 1 in 90,000 would win the car and my Flyer ID# might be a match on the Prize Board. If it did not match, I would get the consultation prize, a Georgia Lotter Ticket. When I heard the consultation prize was a Georgia Lotter Ticket, I knew that is what I would win. I also knew that this was a learning lesson in more ways than one. However, not for the reasons most people would think.

Praying For the Impossible

My sister and I had been talking almost several weeks earlier about the importance of praying for whatever was on our heart, even if we thought it would take a miracle. We believed God would honor our heartfelt prayers that were prayed in faith that God would do something. He might say no, but He would still move on our prayer. We had a few things that we wanted to pray concerning people that we loved, that seemed impossible. During our conversation about things, we thought were impossible, I jokingly said it was impossible to win the Georgia Lottery. I went a step further down a slippery slope and said we should include it in our prayer that we wanted to win the Georgia Lottery by a certain date due to a pending holiday.

Doing My Part

I planned to get a $2 scratch off ticket for my daughter as a gift because she likes doing scratch off tickets for fun and that fit into my plan. If God said yes instead of no, then I would tell her it was really a gift from God. If God said no, then my daughter would still have $2 worth of fun. It had been well over a week since we prayed, and I kept forgetting to get the $2 ticket. I knew without any doubt that I was about to get that $2 ticket consultation prize at this dealership.

Teaching Grandma

As we walked towards the prize board, I passed a woman with a smile that loudly spoke what she was thinking. She also knew I had not won the car. I could see in the distance we were correct. I smiled and thanked them for the $2 scratch off ticket. I knew my daughter would enjoy it. On the drive home, I felt I needed to confess to my son-in-law that I had prayed to win the lottery, but I never made any real effort to do my small $2 part. I was disappointed that I had prayed for something that required me to do something and I did not make the effort to do my very small part. I was very disappointed in myself. However, God used the whole praying to win the Georgia Lottery to teach me an important lesson.

Prayer Answered

I realized on the way home that the car dealership had lost my trust because of the way they mislead me to get me into the dealership. I will not go there to buy my next car. They lost my trust, and I don’t think they are honest enough to sale me a car. My son-in-law, Chris took pity on me and told me that we had to stop for gas on the way home. He said that if I still felt bad, I could get a $2 ticket at the gas station.

I was thankful, and it was clear how fortunate I was to have my family. To have a nice son-in-law like Chris that was willing to drive me to the dealership on a moment’s notice. He did not say I told you so and was willing to stop on the way home and let me spend $2. I was hoping I had not lost God’s trust. I got a big lesson on doing my part whenever I pray for something. The tickets were not winners. However, I did point out to my family that I prayed to win the Georgia Lottery and did not specify if I meant cash or tickets.

I Disappointed Myself

I felt like I was more than just rude to God. I felt like I had schemed against God. Someone who loves me so dearly. I had asked Him to do something, yet I had not done my part. He needs to be able to trust me. My part needed to be done first, what did I expect God to do? Did I expect God to get me the ticket and put it in my hand by any means possible?

I Learned From My Mistake

What did I learn from this? Even when Jesus says no, He still moves on my prayer, and I am blessed. If I need to repent, He not only forgives me, but teaches me to forgive myself. It’s not about a Lottery Ticket. It’s about a relationship. God loves me a lot! God is awesome! Even though I schemed and fell short of being who I should be, Jesus never condemned me or abandoned me. He simply taught me, when you pray, make the effort to do your part if it is required. Jesus does not condemn, He teaches. If I fail, He is there for me with love and comfort.

I Am Thankful

He said no to a winning lottery cash payment because it was not in His Will for me. He said no to my prayer, however He used that prayer to teach me something important. He said yes to teaching me He has my back when I fail to do my part, because He loves me. Plus, I always thought it was funny how Jesus gave money to Peter to pay taxes through a fish in Matthew 17:24-27. Now I can relate to that story from a new perspective and have my own story to share with Peter in Heaven. Peter got the money he needed for taxes, and I got the Lottery Ticket I needed to confirm that I should pray for whatever is on my heart. Even when it seems impossible.

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Lord God Almighty, sanctify us in Your essence through Christ Jesus. Be glorified for who You are and what You do within us and through us. Amen.