by Rebecca Kocsis

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!” And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene–walk!” And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God; and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” (Acts 3:1-10)

Sometimes I remind myself of the beggar in the scripture above. No, I’m not physically lame, and I don’t sit outside my church begging for alms. In many ways, though, I’m just like him. This man thought he knew what he needed. Money. I very often think I know what I need. It’s not always money. I ask the Lord for other things, too. This man was asking for a few coins – pocket change – just enough to get him through another day. I often ask the Lord to just get me through the day – to meet my immediate needs.

In reality, though, very often, we really don’t know what we need. We ask the Lord to deal with symptoms, while overlooking the source of the issue. We may ask the Lord to solve little problems for us when there is a much bigger issue that needs to be addressed. In so doing, it reveals the fact that we have a limited view of our situation and a limited view of how God can answer our prayers.

The lame beggar thought he needed some money to meet his needs. God knew that he really needed a healing. As a home educator, are you asking the Lord to deal with what may be symptoms of a greater problem? Are you asking God to just get you through another day? Are you asking Him to give you patience with an uncooperative child? Are you asking Him to cause your husband to be more supportive?

Instead of reacting to your situation, ask the Lord to show you the heart of the issue. Then ask Him to do a healing. God does more than heal people; He heals relationships, too. He may not be interested in simply doing a work in your heart, or your child’s heart, or your husband’s heart. Perhaps He wants to do a work in your marriage or in your parent/child relationship.

You know, the lame beggar would have been satisfied if the Apostles had tossed him a few coins. Because his request was small, he would have been satisfied with a small answer. But God had a bigger answer in mind. Most likely God has a bigger plan in mind for you than you know. It may very well be that God wants to bring healing into a situation, where you’ll be satisfied with a band-aid. Don’t settle for a band-aid. Don’t be satisfied with a few small coins. The Lord can do a marvelous and restorative work. He wants to do that for you. Let Him glorify Himself in your home and in your homeschool. You’ll “be filled with wonder and amazement at” all that He will do.