Our mattress is fine when only one of us in on it, but add the second person and we roll to the middle. The search for a new mattress provided an unexpected opportunity to walk by faith — especially since Larry and I had some desires that seemed incompatible. How do we use our faith in selecting a mattress? As I asked the Lord to lead us I was reminded of some principles.

God:

• Knows our needs (Matthew 6:32)
• Delights in giving good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11)
• Wants us to ask Him for what we want and need (Matthew 7:7-11)
• Wants harmony between us (Philippians 2:2-4)

God created us with needs so that we would need Him. He wants a relationship with us, so something as ordinary as seeking the right mattress can help build that relationship. He also wants me to be actively involved. I don’t just ask and wait for a mattress to plop down from heaven; I ask, seek and knock. God rewards neither passivity nor striving. It is faith that pleases Him (Hebrews 11:6).

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:7-11 NIV

The most important part of this search was not finding the perfect mattress or getting the sale price; it was walking with God in the process. Whenever such thoughts as “prices are going up, I need to make a decision,” would threaten my peace, I would remind myself “God is not under a time limit. He knows our needs. He has unlimited resources.”

What happens when you and your partner have different priorities and his threatens to eliminate yours? I thought I had found the right mattress at 25% off, but when Larry added one more stipulation, it eliminated my choice. Was he blocking my goal or was God leading through Larry to protect us? I chose to believe the latter.

We continued to seek, knock and ask which ultimately led us to a solution that was better than the first option. A new mattress and peace with each other and God — ah the sweet fruit of faith.

Practicing our faith in everyday experiences strengthens us. Getting to know God in the mundane helps us trust Him with the extraordinary … not to mention the reward of climbing onto your new mattress at peace with your partner. It takes more than a mattress to experience sweet sleep.

Grace and peace,

.

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