Did You Think to Pray?

We are thrilled to WELCOME Roxanne Langley to the Cafe today!

You think some of the things you have to do are irksome?


While traveling one day, I was discussing with my husband an odd command God gave the Israelites regarding donations that were required for the building of the tabernacle. Among the list of scarlet, purple, and blue thread, gold, silver, and copper, acacia wood, goat skins and the like, was the requirement for “the hides of sea cows dyed red.”





Now that one stumped me. They were near the Red Sea presumably, and obviously there WERE such things as sea cows. I, however, found asking for “bovines of the sea” while traipsing through the Sinai Desert a bit much. So I ask my husband, “Exactly how did He (meaning the God of the universe, sea cows included) plan on anyone finding SEA COWS in the middle of the desert?”







From the back seat in a very teen-agery, eye-rolling, duh-you-are-so-dumb voice my seven year old daughter piped up with,

“Well. . .I guess they PRAYED for one.”

That shut me down right there. Seriously, what shortage of sea cow hides CAN’T be overcome by some heart-felt, earnest supplication followed by a large dose of obedience?


As I pondered my daughter’s words, I realized two very important things:

1. Her first reaction to face an obstacle was to pray.
2. My first reaction was to question God.

Matthew 18:3 “And he said: ‘I tell you, the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”(NIV)

What was HER first reaction? What was MY first reaction? And exactly how long will it take for that to cease being her first reaction if I do not proceed very carefully with my own? She didn’t quote one single scripture touting God’s mightiness or sovreignty. There was no need. She unintentionally wrapped her words around a brick, and hurled that brick at her momma’s hard head. I think God might have even chuckled.


I also think I have a lot to learn from my child and from my Father.

What is your first reaction when faced with a daunting or seemingly insurmountable task?

When was a time your prayed and found that the task seemed easier to handle?

In Him, Roxanne

Roxanne lives in small-town Texas with her husband and two children. She teaches Jr. High school on purpose. And yes. She is a little crazy.