What God Did When I said Anything

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A frozen yogurt shop opened its doors and it didn’t seem like anything. Another business on Main Street, no one knew that two women had prayed over the little conference room inside and said, “God, you brought us this far. We have a business and we want this room to be used for your glory.”

A few months prior, God had impressed on my heart to lead a Bible study gathering of women. I wasn’t sure if he had the right woman. Me, God? Are you sure? I want to be used by you, Lord. Truly I do, but women’s ministry? I’m not even sure if I like women. Hey, you have to be honest before the Lord. He already knows!

It was some time before I agreed to anything. I really wanted to stay in my comfort zone. Kids, worship ministry, vacation Bible school… these were all ministries in which I held experience. I mean, it didn’t really matter if I followed the Holy Spirit’s whisper to my heart as long as I was serving, right?

But God continually sent people and circumstances and Scripture my way, until I wasn’t comfortable in my “comfort zones.”  The call was so strong to lead women in studying God’s word that I finally responded to God, “Ok, Lord. I give it all to you once again. I will do anything, even if it means women’s ministry. Even if it means giving up my comfortable serving spaces. Even if it means people thinking I’ve lost my mind or I’m unqualified.”

I didn’t have all the details, but I knew we needed a place. I asked for a room at the church where our family attended, but nothing was available. When all else fails, go to Facebook, right? I put up a status inquiring for a place to hold a Bible study. After several places, my eyes landed on one suggestion in particular and I immediately picked up the phone to call the business.

It felt foolish, calling a yogurt shop regarding a Bible study. I mean, we’d probably have to pay a weekly fee and I had no money in the budget for something of this nature.

I falteringly tried to explain that I was calling to ask about their party room and how much they charged to rent it. I attempted to find words to explain that I was looking for a space to hold a weekly women’s Bible study. The more words I said, the more foolish it all seemed. The owner was quiet and during her pause, I figured she was trying to hold back the laughter.

But I didn’t know about the prayers of two women who owned the yogurt shop. I had no idea that my “anything” was an answer to their “anything.” Through tears, she began to explain that although I didn’t know it, I was the “anything” they had prayed for. Yes, we could have the room to use for Bible study every Thursday night for two hours. No, they wouldn’t charge us a dime. No, she didn’t care if the women weren’t customers of the shop. Yes, they would reserve it beginning next week.

You never know when your “anything” is the answer to another’s “anything.”

For two years, women gathered in the yogurt shop to lean into a stronger relationship with the Lord. He connects prayers of surrender in beautiful ways. This is what God did when I said “Anything.”Just take a peek at the #anythingproject and then answer this question:

What is your anything?

Rachel

Post inspired by Jennie Allen’s recent re-release, Anything: The Prayer That Unlocked My God and My Soul. I highly recommend the book and the new release includes a Bible study!

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