I tell ya when I look back over my life and I think of all the times that I thought the Lord wasn’t listening to me..or even for that matter even hearing me..I would pray and I would get no answer…and I would cry…and still no answer…couldn’t understand back then why I wasn’t getting my prayers answered..and I thought well maybe there’s sin in my life..maybe I’m just not where I need to be in my life..and so I would keep pressing on inspite of the fact that my situation hadn’t changed..it was the same day in and day out…I fought and battled the same prayers over and over again and again..but I had experienced enough of the Lord to know that He was real..and that He loved me..so I held on through all of the mess that was taking place..through all of the tears I just kept on praying..and seeking out the Lord for His will for my life..and His plan for my life..and even though I seen no change no where in site..I still held on..because that still small voice kept reminding me that God was near and that God is good and that He is good all the time..and that His ways are not like mine..or even yours..but His ways are much higher than ours..Isaiah 55:8-9..so even though there was no sign of anything changing..I kept on praying..Amen..it’s like when you’re faced with adversity…you gain so much strength and perseverance, and you pray and lean in on the Lord like never before..for in those times of where nothing is happening that’s when we are literally going by faith and not at all by sight..2 Corinthians 5:7..even though there will be others sitting around you that are getting their prayers answered time and time again..and your still praying that same prayer…and you question..and you will at times have doubt..for we are only human..but my thoughts today is this..I thank the Lord for them prayers that He did not answer for me..I thank Him for not giving me everything that I thought that I needed in my life..so really He answered my prayers..but the answer was no from the Lord..and how many of ya know that sometimes God does say no to us..and other times He will say yes..but as well there will be times when He says not yet..the timing isn’t there yet..so what do we do…we let go and we let God..we don’t get angry..we don’t give up or give in..but we keep on like the word of God says praying..and knocking and seeking the Lords face for our lives..and seeking His will for our lives..Matthew 7:7..and never giving in..and always believing that something good will come from all the troubles that you have faced and gone through..for everything that any of us ever go through in our lives is for a reason…so now as I sit here and I look back…I can’t help but praise the Lord that He didn’t give me what I thought I needed and didn’t place me where I thought I needed to be…but He ordered my steps to the place where He alone desired for me to be..Proverbs 16:9..and I am ever so thankful and happy that He did..and that He loves me enough to let me go through the tears and pain of having Him say no..other than living with a lifetime of regrets and so many hardships and heartaches that maybe would have came my way..if the Lord gave me my way..other than His way..which praise God He didn’t…so today if you are there in that place of no as being your answer..and you still haven’t gotten what you think you need..maybe just maybe it’s not what God is wanting for you and your life..so trust the Lord guys..for the Lord knows what’s best..so if He says no..then let go and trust Him…for the Lord is always leading us in the right way..even when at times it may make n0 sense..one day you’ll look back and you’ll see how His hands were right there with you every single step of the way..for our Father knows what’s best..and our Father is always with us..and for us…so today keep praying and keep on being persistent…for it will always pay off in the end..for nothing that we go through is ever wasted..God uses everything for our good..and works it all together for our good..Romans 8:28..we serve a great God..and He is great all the time…there is no one like our Lord..and guys there will never be no one like our Lord..so rest and wait knowing that God is in control..In Jesus’ name, I do ask and pray..Amen and Amen..Be blessed today my dear sweet friends and remember wherever you go and whatever you do, Be a light for our Father, Much love to you all, Mandi