A prayer

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As Marian came in from the front garden, she thought, “I wish the grandkids lived a bit closer, cos then maybe they would help me do the garden”. The she thought as she popped the kettle on for a well earned cuppa, “What would I do if I didn’t have my lovely garden to do” As she got her biscuits out, she thought, “ While I am out there I chat to God, I feel so comfortable doing that now, and how would I explain who I chat to to these young ones?” Ah well she thought not to worry cos they live on the other side of the South Island, along with their dad and step mum. Marians youngest had moved from the West Coast over to the East Coast, to manage a farm, then her grandson Mike had found a good job also on a farm, Mike was 23, and a darn good farmer just like his dad. But oh how Marian missed them all. Oh they came over to see her about 3 times a year now, but it didn't feel the same.

Still Marian had her church, and her friends there, and the bus trips and lots of other things to keep her busy. There was one thing Marian always prayed for, and that was that her youngest son and his son would turn to Jesus one day. It was a big thing to ask, because they just didn't seem to have time for God, or even herself these days. Calving time they were out all day, and sometimes all night, and both men were on farms with over 900 cattle. Still, she kept praying.

    One day the phone rang one morning, thinking it was her mate from church to tell her what to bring for their pot luck lunch she answered “Hello, a roast beef or a trifle?” Her son answered, “Hey Ma, we got news, Mike is getting married, next month Ma, and we want you to come over”... Marian gasped, she didn't drive a car, so would have to arrange the shuttle bus. Where would she stay? After all Christchurch had several large earthquakes, but next thing she heard her son say, “Hey Ma, you still there old girl, or gone into shock?” “Yes I am here son” she replied, “Susan wants you to stay with us Ma, she has the room all ready for you”. Marian thought ahead, what was she doing in a month? Oh heck she thought, “Yes of course I will be there son” she said, “Good Ma, we will meet you at the bus station”..... Marian went around the rest of the day in a complete daze, getting married, why she never even knew he had a girlfriend.
Marian spent a couple of days looking for a gift, and found the ideal one, wrapped it up and popped it in her suitcase, and she also bought a new outfit, and shoes, but thought she would get her hair done in the city, somewhere.

    Thursday at 8am she got on the shuttle bus, “Hi Marian, how are you and what you doing going off to Christchurch?” asked the bus driver. She knew Ben well, from church, so she explained while they picked up some tourists going over to Canterbury.

  She got off the bus, and there was her daughter in law waiting for her, she chatted all the way to the farm catching Marian up with all the family gossip. Arriving at the farm there was a lovely young lass waiting, she rushed over and hugged Marian,”Your Mikes gran, I have heard so much about you”, after that it was all go, different to what Marian was used to, everyone talking at once, dogs barking, cows mooing, phones ringing, mobiles and landlines! But Marian felt right at home.

  All the wedding preparations had been done, and Jean (her granddaughter-in-law to be) took her to a lovely old church near Ashburton, one that had hadn't been affected to much by the quakes. Jean said I just have to pop in to the florist Gran, I will be right back. Marian didn't mind, it gave her chance to thank God for her family and for a safe trip. To also thank Him for the young couple getting married in a church, and not on the beach or anywhere daft. She also repeated her oft said prayer for the family to be led to God. Jean returned and they went off back to the farm.

The wedding day dawned bright and sunny, the bride was at her parents house, and Mike had come back to his dad’s place to get dressed, it was all go. Marian had had her hair done the day before, and it just needed a bit of fluffing up. She got dressed, and went downstairs, her daughter-in-law Jean was dressed lovely, a dark blue suit and lovely hat, they stood and checked one another over. Then the Bridegroom came downstairs, Marian gasped, for she had only ever seen Mike and his dad dressed in old farm clothes. They looked so handsome, if only her hubby could see them, but he had gone on before her, a few years ago now. But, she thought I am so proud of them both. Then Marian done something that even stunned her, she asked them if she could say a prayer before they left, she did so, she asked the Lord to bless them all, and that He may bless this new marriage.

The wedding went off without a hitch, the bride Jean was absolutely beautiful, the service was exquisite, then the Pastor asked Marian if she could come up front, he explained that her Jean was a Christian, and wanted Marian to bless their marriage, Marian was stunned and happy,
she couldnt remember what she actually prayed, but knew it was ok.

At the reception, Marian had another surprise, no alcohol, only soft drinks. Marian knew her grandson Mike loved a beer after work, but he too had come to know the Lord, and had been going to church. He told Marian he wanted to surprise her, and he had sure done that. Marian looked at her son, hopefully, he just nodded no. But when she spoke to him later, he too had given up alcohol, and seemed happier.

Marian hugged and hugged her granddaughter-in –law. Then the gifts were opened, Glass dishes, cutlery, electrical goods, and then Marians gift, a brand new family Bible, that Mike and Jean could fill with their new family. Jean opened up her and Mikes gift, and read out to everyone, John 3:16, For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. You could have heard a pin drop.....Then the next surprise for Marian, Mike and Jean were moving over to the West Coast, to a farm near Marian, so she wouldnt be so lonely Jean said. Plus she said Gran can be there to give out her wise wisdom to any children we have.

Marian went home, and got one of her friends to take her to the local beach, there she walked along the beach and cried out to God how Great He is. Marian thanked him over and over again. She went back to the car where her friend was waiting, and told her that she had thanked God for all His Goodness, her friend said, “Marian, you have been such a faithful servant to the Lord, and He heard your prayers and has answered them.

Two years later..... Marian is the proud great grandma of Thomas and Mathew, identical twin boys, and Jean needed all the help she could get. Marian thanked God, many times over about her many blessings. Oh and her son? he helped out a church fair, and went next day to church to hear how the fair went, and now they go each week.

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