**I am pleased to share this post that I wrote for my friend over at Rest and Chaos. She put together a series of “Stories of Amazing Grace.” Check out the other amazing stories by clicking here! This is the story of how God answered a 20-year prayer. When I was twelve years old, my mom’s dad passed away from cancer. He was only 54, and he left my 53-year-old grandma Kay as a widow. It was devastating for my whole family, especially since he died two days before Christmas. As my grandma started to adjust to her new normal, I had the opportunity to help her. I was her oldest grandchild, and she had always had a special place in my heart. I helped her box up Grandpa’s clothes, clean out his side of the closet, and just kept her company. Time went on and her grief began to fade. Because she was so young, joyful and full of life, our family began to pray about another husband for her. We knew that she did not want to live out the rest of her life alone. Time went on, and God didn’t answer. I think Grandma finally even made peace with the fact that she was going to be alone.

Eternal Prayers

But the thing is, our prayers are eternal because they are offered to an eternal God. He sees all of history and all of the future. All at once and completely. Our prayers enter into this heavenly realm and somehow, God answers according to His perfect will and timing. Because God is sovereign, He held off in answering our prayers for my grandma. But let me assure you, He blessed her as she faithfully waited.

In The Waiting

In this time of waiting, some wonderful, precious things happened. Grandma was able to build close relationships with many of her grandchildren, myself included. There were many Friday and Saturday nights when I would spend the night with her. We’d watch movies, play games and go out to eat. I would not trade those times for anything, and I think she would agree. Our close relationship still exists. She is my prayer warrior and biggest fan. She is a constant example of joy despite circumstances and a life without complaining. Grandma was also able to travel with her children. We took Grandma along on many vacations and so did my aunt and uncle. She got to see the Grand Canyon and visit Washington D.C. And had she had a husband then, she probably would not have come with us. Yes, we could all see these blessings God poured out on us and Grandma. And like I said before, Grandma had made peace with living alone. She knew God was with her.

The Right Time

But God had heard our prayers. He was just waiting for the right time. You see, God had a man selected for my grandma, but that man was not quite ready. This man happened to be a friend of our family, and he and his first wife were friends with my grandma and grandpa. They even attended the same church! This man’s first wife, Carol, was very sick. She battled a lung disease for many years and even underwent a lung transplant. This man cared for her in her sickness and her health. He stood by her until the day she died. And when she knew her time on earth was coming to an end, she told this man that he should pursue my Grandma Kay. God had announced His plan through Carol. You see, this man was not ready when we first started praying for a new husband for my grandma. But then the time came for God to answer our prayers, and this man, Ken, started dating my grandma. It didn’t take long for them to get serious and for Ken to announce his intentions. He wanted to marry Grandma and take care of her for the rest of their lives. After praying for a new man for Grandma for 20 years, God answered. I was thrilled and joyous as I attended their wedding in October of 2017. And I am still thrilled at how God set aside the perfect man for my grandma, a man who treats her like a queen and is constantly putting her needs first. I’m so thankful my grandma can say, “He is the best thing that happened to me.”

God’s Faithfulness

What a testimony of God’s faithfulness and of His perfect timing! God always hears our prayers; we can be assured of that. We just have to remember that God’s ways are different and better than our own (Isaiah 55:8-9). By God’s grace and mercy, He answered our prayers perfectly, allowing for many surprising blessings as we waited. And looking back, my family can see God’s perfect ways. We are so thankful His will and timing prevailed. Personally, I hate to think about how it could have been different. I am thankful for each special moment with my grandma, and I’m overflowing with gratitude at the happiness that fills her life now. God is so good. Never give up.   ***Photo by Tanja Cotoaga on Unsplash