More Lessons Along the Way . . . with John in his own words
/Now all glory to God,
who is able, through his mighty power at work within us,
to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Ephesians 3:20 NLT
God cares for His children.
This has been our experience, before and into and during our car trip to Tucson.
If you have been following along with us, you know we’ve been unpacking these truths, learned on our trip thus far:
God answers His children’s prayers (see previous blog post)
God often answers before we ask.
God is our GPS on trips and in life.
God sends many kind, interesting people across our paths in life.
And now for today’s truth:
2. God often answers before we ask.
I will answer them before they even call to me.
While they are still talking about their needs,
I will go ahead and answer their prayers!
Isaiah 65:24 NLT
Your own ears will hear him.
Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.
Isaiah 30:21 NLT
Our God is so amazing like that! Have you experienced His “before-you-even-ask” answer? We did on this trip. Here is John to tell about it:
In May 2023 we drove to Tucson to stay for two weeks between a conference in Plano, Texas, and a family vacation in Gulf Shores, Alabama. We loved our time there, just enjoying the Sonoran desert’s climate and views. Ever since, we have wanted to return, but schedules and other events have prevented us from doing so. During the winter this year our thoughts again turned to the possibility of returning. At one point Jan said, “Let’s just get in the car and go to Tucson!”
In actuality, that was easier said than done. Multiple medical issues had arisen for me since December 2025 and we were still working through those, awaiting test results and medicine changes to solidify my conditions. In a “what if” moment, I checked to see if the condo we had previously rented in Tucson in 2023 happened to be available in April this year. YES! That door was currently open, but we couldn’t walk through it at this point. In my mind there was not clarity at all in regard to a stay in Tucson.
On my way to a PT weekly session, the first of which had inadvertently set off one of my medical issues, I was listening to a Matthew Ward worship album to calm myself, but I was still tightly wound up and anxious. After the PT session, which in itself was encouraging, I got in the car, connected my phone, and immediately the Matthew Ward song “To the King” started playing. The lyrics brought to mind Pilate’s inscription on the cross, “This is Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews,” which our men’s group had been studying. The King had been crucified! Yet He was still King! Even as He hung on the cross, He confirmed that the believing thief next to Him would join Him in His kingdom. Such hope inspired by His rule beyond the circumstances!
As I pulled out of the parking lot with that song resonating in my soul, tears unexpectedly started rolling down my face. A tsunami of hope swept over me, something I had never experienced before. Then a word, a rhema perhaps,
“We are going to Tucson.”
I had no conclusive evidence of this as a fact; it was not a decision on my part; it was a word of hope spoken outside of me before the fact.
sajuaro in bloom
And so after a good report from John’s doc and with all protocols in place, we stepped into the journey, receiving it at from our Abba Father, the King of our lives.
YOUR TURN, dear Reader
Have you experienced His “before-you-even-ask” answer?
Please share in comments. It’s so exciting to hear how God is at work in your life.
And enjoy John’s song and worship your King:
