It’s a beautiful day here in Virginia with some fog on the mountain! Back when we lived in South Carolina, we’d often travel through this area to visit family and said how amazing it would be to live here one day. Not only did God bring us to the Shenandoah Valley, but He also gave us this view right in our back yard. God is good all the time and loves to hear and answer our prayers! Sometimes the bigger challenge starts AFTER our prayers are answered though.
Sometimes it’s easier to stay close to God BEFORE He answers our prayers, but it’s just as important to praise Him and walk with Him afterward as well. Acts 3:1-6 records this account: “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
God healed the man, and he now had the freedom and ability to go wherever he wanted. I love his choice: “And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3:8).
It’s often natural to run to God when we face a hard time but all too easy to walk away from Him when good times come. Let’s stay thankful, keep praising Him, and continue to walk with Him whether we’re still praying for help or celebrating what He did.