He Hears Me, Even in the Bathroom

                 1 John 5:14-15 -  And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.

                The sun was just setting as the waitress showed my friend and I to the table next to the window. I think we both heaved a sigh as I threw my purse over the edge of the chair letting it sort of swing there before it stopped. It had been a long week and looking in my friends eyes I knew it had been one for her as well. " Coffee please !" were the first words out of my mouth. My friend echoed the same. I would be lying if we both didn't say it with some urgency. We both just kind of sat there and took it in before we started talking. The silence was golden.When the coffee arrived and we had a few sips our hearts began to open up. We shared about our week, our month. Things we were concerned about, things that had gone right. Our kids and the fun things they did or said, and also the behaviors that was challenging for us as moms.
                 I began to share how God had just answered a prayer of mine that I had been desiring for a long time. One I had been praying for for months. My friends face suddenly dropped as she said, " Oh! How did you do it, find the time to really get down and prayer over your issue?" My heart broke for my friend.  If she only knew how hard it has been for me to carry this and find those moments to let God take it. She was looking at me like I was a spiritual giant. Like I had a key she didn't. Like I prayed a pray she couldn't. I sat there watching her look at me like I had it all together. I kind of laughed looking at her look at me like I had done something amazing, when I knew I hadn't. I made a joke, put my hands together tight, furrowed my brow and bent over the chair. " It wasn't like this !" I said. I wish I had time to pray like that, but to be honest it wasn't like that at all." Oh, okay !" she giggled her features resting and sipping her coffee again she just relaxed. I began to share with her, that I prayed in my day to day life. I prayed as I did dishes, washed clothes or any other tasks. Whenever this issue weighed on my heart I inquired and asked God to help me. Mostly I prayed in the car alone when I could cry and no one could see. When I could talk to God on the way to work without being interrupted by kids or needs around me. I told my friend I prayed , but believe it or not I pray mostly during my 12 hour night shift.
                  Sometimes the issue was so heavy, whenever I could I would run to the bathroom and ask God for help.Then I would wipe my tears before going back out to work. I prayed under my breath while caring for patients.I prayed in medical closets before stocking rooms. My friends face lightened, as she saw I was not some super prayer warrior, but just a real girl , with real issues , in this real life. I am so thankful that God hears us when we pray and where we pray. He see's the attitude of our heart and that is a comfort. He doesn't wait for us to find the perfect spot, sit in the perfect chair and say the perfect prayer, he hears us.There is no place in this life we cannot call out. If it's over our work desk, over a sink full of dishes, or in the car running errands. That can give any busy mom hope !
                   There are still issues that weigh on my heart and I still lock myself in the bathroom at work from  time to time.The issues of my home and all the needs I cannot meet, often hit me when I have to go to work.You see there are things I long to do at home. Things I feel I miss. Work is the place God hears my heart though no on else can. There are times at my job I look up and talk to God. There are times I am praying and no one knows. There are nights my cheeks are tear stained. God may not answer now, but I know He hears me, even in the bathroom. He hears me  in the only solitary place I can find as the words come out, " Jesus, I need you !"
               
 Is there something you are holding on to because you don't have time to find a place to pray. Don't let that stop you. The confidence we have in Him is that He hears us. He hears us when it is in accordance with His will. He doesn't say where He hears us, just that He hears us. If you have time to pray alone in silence , do it ! Enjoy that season of your life and take advantage of it. But if you don't have loads of time don't let it stop you from praying. Remember He hears you wherever you pray. How do I know? He heard me and answered me in the bathroom :)