“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

I admit my prayer life is not what it should be. I do pray for those who have requested prayer, my family, friends, and others I come in daily contact with, but I don’t always ask God to reveal how He wants me to live out my day and how I can make a difference in someone else’s life. There was a time when I was better about this, but lately I haven’t been intentional.

My excuses for not making this effort are hardly reasonable. My days are filled with work, family, volunteering, taking care of the house and finding a balance for all of it … but that’s a conversation for another time.

A sermon I recently heard brought me back to a time when asking God about my day was a regular thing.

An answered prayer

So one day I did just that and I was very specific with my prayer. I truly believed He would reveal a purpose for my day. The answer came later.

I had no particular plans for that day but decided at the last minute to go to the hair salon for a quick trim. When I arrived, I sat beside an older gentleman, Gary, who quickly engaged me in conversation.

I confess, at first I had little desire to talk to anyone. But during our conversation, he asked me if I knew God’s story. He then went on about a new opportunity he had sharing God’s story with veterans and how much it blessed him to know God was still using him even as an elderly man. In that moment, I was reminded of my earlier prayer. I then asked Gary to tell me his story and about how God used him in other ways throughout his life. As he spoke, God reminded me that He uses His children throughout their entire lives if we let Him.

When it was Gary’s turn for a cut, he thanked me for listening and told me I was a very special person. I believe Gary’s blessing was that someone took the time to listen to his story.  My blessing came from knowing God answered my prayer and gave me His purpose for my day.