To go up in the attic is a challenge for me. To get up there I have to pull open a trap door in the ceiling of the pantry and let down the ladder. The problem is that I really do not like ladders. I know, it sounds ridiculous, and it is quite humiliating, but it’s true.

So, that day a few weeks ago, when I had remembered to claim the promise of Philippians 4:13, and as I repeated aloud, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” at least a dozen times as I psyched myself up for the trip to the attic, I was glad that no one could see what a coward I am.

Then just as I was starting to climb those steps, I heard the notification of a text message on my phone from non-other than my ex-husband, saying just, “morning.” The first thing I thought of was that maybe I was supposed to text him back and ask him to go up into the attic for me. After all, he is the one who as “patriarch of the family” declared our family would no longer celebrate Christmas several years ago, and I really wanted some of the old decorations stashed in the attic now that we are separated.

It could have been, I supposed, but if that had been the case, building my courage by repeating scripture would have been pointless. I really believed that Holy Spirit reminded me to claim the promise of Philippians 4:13, and I acted on that belief, that trust.

And I had a completely safe trip to the attic to retrieve the old nativity set from my childhood – the stable that Grandpa Hanson built over 50 years ago and the original figures, all somewhat the worse for wear after half a century.

Later, as I was mulling this over in my mind, it dawned on me that this incident was an answer to recent prayer. An answer that almost went unnoticed. I had read something not long ago where the comment was made that we pray and often forget to even look for an answer. I knew it was true, and prayed for more awareness of every answered prayer, no matter how small or insignificant. Seeing God grant our small requests builds the faith to believe for the bigger things, and I want that!

I can’t help but wonder how many I have let slip by undetected all these years.

And that is just the beginning – what else am I to do “through Christ who strengthens me”?

I was raised in church but always felt like I was missing something. Now the Word of God excites me! My curiosity enhances the pursuance of discernment. I have often felt discouraged, but not totally defeated knowing that in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.