The Little Things

It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord cares about even the littlest things. The "let all the lights be green," "let there be enough gas to get home," and the "please send my son a friend" requests are all heard and not ignored by God.

I can't tell you how many times we have driven to church without having to constantly stop for red lights even though our route has us driving through no less than 50 intersections. He cares about us having a clear path to church.

Last week I was on empty, far from home and without a penny in my wallet (as if a penny would have helped). I prayed with sweaty palms that I would just make it home. After making a quick stop I wondered if there were enough fumes left for the car to start after being turned off. Not only did my car start, as I drove I watched the gas gauge rise so high the "need gas" light went off! Before I had stopped the gauge was below the "E" and the screen above my steering wheel kept warning, "Fuel Range: Low". Needless to say, I made it home.

Then about a month ago, after moving into our new home and not noticing any children in the neighborhood, I said a prayer that God would send Fisher a friend. I was specific too. I prayed for a boy, the same age and in the same grade as Fisher. One who came from a Christian family who had similar values as we did. One who would not knock on our door at 7:30 in the morning on Saturdays and one that would not stay past 8:00pm on weekdays. And just last week, while out riding his bike alone, Fisher met Michael. A little boy, the same age, in the same grade, at the same school, with the same interests and church background as Fisher and he lives three houses down. What a blessing. I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't realize God had remembered and answered my prayer until last night. Fisher had been out smashing rocks with Michael (see, a perfect match) when Fisher was called in to get ready for Awanas. He asked if he could invite Michael and after pausing for a second I told him he could. He was out the door in a flash of bald head and freckles running down to Michael's house. Fisher came back less than five minutes later smiling and reporting that he had pulled Michael's dad aside to ask him in private if Michael could join us at church (he's learning the "don't ask in front of..." lesson). He also told Michael's dad to feed him dinner, have him take a shower and be ready to go by 5:45pm. All things I had instructed Fisher, himself, to do. Michael had participated in the Awana program at his other church and was excited to be going with us. On the way home as the kids were laughing, yelling and having so much fun I realized God had answered a mom's simple prayer for her child. He is so good.

Keep praying, even for the littlest things, because our God isn't too big to care. And something not too big on calories is what we're having for dinner tonight! Greek style chicken and salad with pita bread.

Greek Salad with Chicken and Pitas
1 1/2 lb chicken tenders
salt and pepper to taste
8 pita breads
1 lemon
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 hearts of romaine lettuce, chopped
1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, chopped
8 oz crumbled feta cheese
2 vine-ripe tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup chopped cucumber (European cucumbers are best)
1/2 red onion, chopped
1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Preheat grill over high heat. Place chicken in shallow dish and season with salt and pepper. Preheat oven to medium heat, wrap pitas in foil then warm in oven. Zest the lemon then squeeze the juice into a small bowl. Add the vinegar then whisk in oil. Add oregano and garlic and whisk again to combine well. Pour half of dressing over chicken and toss. Combine salad ingredients in a mixing bowl and toss well with remaining dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste then place on a platter. Grill tenders 4 to 5 minutes on each side then transfer them to the salad once done. Stuff the warm pitas with the salad and chicken tenders. Enjoy.