God Cares About the Details

Ever had those days when you felt you were throwing up emergency prayers that seemed unimportant in the big scheme of things? You know the ones. “Lord, please let me find my car keys or I’m going to be late, again.” “Lord, please let me find a parking place close to the door, because I have to get these children and all this stuff in that store quickly in the rain.” “Lord, please let my child sleep through the night, because I have to get some sleep.”

If you are a mom, I’m sure you’ve prayed one or more of these prayers on some occasion. I know I’ve prayed them many times. I used to think they were sort of “silly” prayers. After all, there are much greater problems going on in the world while I’m looking for my keys. But for some reason it makes me feel better to tell God what I need, as trivial as it seems, so I keep praying them.

I was reading through 2 Kings recently and came across the passage of the floating ax head. This story takes place right after Elisha has healed Naaman of leprosy and right before Israel’s army is delivered from the Arameans – an important man and an important event.

The prophets who were following Elisha were cutting trees by the Jordan to build larger quarters to accommodate their growing numbers. One of the men’s iron ax head fell into the water. He became panicked because the ax was borrowed. Upon hearing the man’s distress, Elisha asks where the ax head fell. The man showed Elisha the place. Elisha cut a stick, threw it into the water, and the iron ax head floated to the top where the man could reach down and lift it out of the water.

The man was obviously not a big, important person like Naaman, as he didn’t even have enough money to buy his own ax, but had to borrow one. He didn’t seem to be performing some big, important task like fighting in Israel’s army. But he was doing what God had called him to do – building a home so that God’s Word and work could be furthered. Most people focus on the fact that the iron ax head floated, certainly a miracle; but I notice that Elisha focused on meeting the man’s need, even though it might have seemed trivial.

As moms, we sometimes feel our needs or wants are trivial. We don’t feel we are important or that we are accomplishing anything important, but we are. We are building a home. Hopefully it is a home where God’s Word and work are furthered. And God cares about the details. He wants to hear our “silly” prayers. He cares about our worries and concerns and He wants to meet our every need.

1 Peter 5:7 says cast the whole of your care, all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 (The Amplified Bible)

Many times God will use our “silly” little prayers and the answers He gives us to teach us about Himself and His purposes for us. We simply must ask for the spiritual vision to see the lessons. He wants to use our everyday life circumstances to draw us to Him, build our faith and ultimately change us into His likeness.

The next time you feel your prayer or need is silly or unimportant; remember the floating ax head and that God cares about the details.

8 Responses to God Cares About the Details
  1. Beth
    January 17, 2011 | 10:04 am

    That’s a great reminder, Amy!

  2. Rebecca C
    January 17, 2011 | 7:31 pm

    I needed this post today! Thank you. 🙂

  3. Kendra
    January 18, 2011 | 5:53 am

    Thank goodness God cares about the details of my life.

    If I couldn’t call on Him for small things throughout my day, then the overwhelming details of my life would defeat me.

    Thankfully, He always listens.

    Blessings,
    Kendra
    http://www.abusywomanslife.com

  4. Marilyn
    January 18, 2011 | 8:17 am

    I really needed this today…thanks

  5. deb
    January 18, 2011 | 10:07 am

    This hit home today…so glad I have God in my life to call upon him in my time of need and to thank him for the many blessings I have as well.
    Thank you,

  6. Paris Golec
    January 19, 2011 | 1:24 am

    Amy, thank you for such a great reminder. I often wonder if anyone notices what a mom is responsible for she is one of Gods greatest helpers. I too have felt neglected in this area with a special needs child and homeschool and being pulled in too many different directions.
    I need to keep calling on the God of more than enough to take my load. It is Him that commissioned me and a job that I feel honored to do. I am humbled.
    God bless you!

  7. Kimberly
    January 19, 2011 | 10:01 am

    I love this, Amy! I love how you pointed out that God met this man’s needs right where he was, in a place of doing what he needed to be doing. There was no issue of whether who he was or what he was doing would be deemed important to others. We are each one important to God.

    I am SO thankful God not only lets us bring every detail to Him, but He also wants us to bring it all to Him. He is so good to us!

    Thanks for this wonderful reminder!
    love,
    K

  8. Val Garner
    January 19, 2011 | 9:46 pm

    Great reminder! It it awesome how He never says to us, “I’m busy with more important things”, when we know He is?