Sheltered

Why was it that the more I asked for God's help, the more I worried?

- By RAYLENE NICKEL Kief, North Dakota

WATCHED OVER Trees play an important role on Raylene's 400-acre eco-friendly farm.

I was exhausted, but I couldn't go back to sleep. In bed, with blankets piled on me, I listened for the sound of my big propane furnace kicking on. Please, Lord, let it work. It was January on my 400-acre North Dakota farm, and winter was in full swing. In the night, the temperature had dropped to 34 below zero. What a time for my furnace to be on the fritz!

It hadn't been working right for two months. Two months during which I'd worried constantly. Prayed intensely. Had service technicians come out multiple times. All to no avail.

The furnace would light, making that reassuring deep-throated hum, only to snap off. Then moments later, it would try again. So far, after the second try, the furnace would stay lit. But how long before it gave out completely? I didn't want to think about the expense of buying a new one.

I launched into what had become my nightly prayer. Father, strength for the furnace! Healing. Angels all around. It might sound strange to ask for healing for a the furnace! Healing. Angels all around.

It might sound strange to ask for healing for a furnace, but that's how worried I was about it. Right on cue, furnace, but that's how worried I was about it. Right on cue, the furnace lit and then fell silent.

I sat bolt upright, listening. The furnace tried again, and this time succeeded. Still, there was no chance of my going back to sleep. This worry was driving me crazy.

I got out of bed, switched on my in-wall electric heaters and made some coffee. The electric heaters were lifesavers, but they couldn't keep the house nearly as warm as the furnace.

Where did that idea come from? In the next instant, I knew. God was using a concept familiar to me to answer my own questions.