The Black Suitcase With The Blue Stripe

It was a cloudy Monday. Roughly, 2:00 in the afternoon. I came home from work and one of my boys, Tommy, was beginning to pack for his 4 month adventure with the Disney program in Florida. (insert jealous parents here) “Dad, do you know where my black suitcase with the blue stripe is?” I had no clue.

He had been looking for quite some time, so when he asked me if I knew where it was, it’s almost like he was hoping I’d have the answer to one of the great mysteries of life.

He looked all around the house. From closets, to the basement, to the back of our van, in the random chance it was left there. It was not.

I headed downstairs to double check the basement. (Remember, he had already checked that before). I said a simple prayer, “God would you please help me find that black suitcase with the blue stripe? And I would like to find it within the next 2 to 3 minutes. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.” That’s all. I’ve learned prayer works. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6. Before I act, I pray. I remember it this way: P.F.A.S. Pray first. Act Second.

I headed into one area of the basement, but saw nothing. Then, as I turned the corner, behind some boxes, there it was, the black suitcase with the blue stripe that had been missing for weeks!

And guess what? I found that black suitcase in about 90 seconds. Just like I asked. “Thank you God”, I said, as I grabbed the suitcase, and walked upstairs.

As I approached Tommy’s bedroom, I said, “you know, many people laugh at me when I say, ‘I’m going to pray about it’, but, I do it because I expect an answer. All I know is that I prayed about finding your suitcase, and look what I just found”.

“Where did you find it?”, said Tommy with a dropped jaw. “In the basement”. I said confidently. Obviously, he was a bit dumbfounded after looking there several times before. He looked at me and said, “Thanks, Dad.” “No need to thank me,” I said, ‘thank God”.

As I left his bedroom, I heard in a voice filled with a hint of a smile, “Thanks God”.

Prayer. I do it before races. I’ve done it during races. Shoot, I’ve even done it trying to find just the right running shoes. I pray! And yes, I pray about finding the black suitcase with the blue stripe.

Nope. I don’t have magical powers. I just try not to worry, and to P.F.A.S. Pray first. Act second.