Write About Now

For centuries, theologians and philosophers have debated whether God actually answers our prayers. I am living proof that not only does he hear us when we call to him, he even answers prayer that includes profanity.

Let me explain. A few days ago some good friends gave me a computer and so yesterday off I went to IKEA to buy a desk. IKEA, if you are not familiar with it, keeps its prices low by selling most of their furniture in pieces, packaged in flat cardboard boxes with complete assembly required. Despite the inherent hassle of this, IKEA does a brisk business because it’s one of the few places you can buy a fairly cool-looking new desk for $24.99. They also have breakfast for a dollar and truly horrible (but cheap) Swedish coffee. They could probably start a whole marketing campaign aimed exclusively at the recently unemployed.

So, that afternoon I find myself standing in my living room surrounded by piles of pressboard, screws, and instructions. Despite my cat’s help, I’ve managed to painlessly assemble the base and just need to attach the back panel. The entire project thus far has taken 20 minutes.

An hour and a half later, sweaty and angry and ready to throw the whole thing through my sliding glass window, I cast a glance heavenward and say, “God, there is no one to help me do this. I have to do this by myself. And I have to do it today. Please, please MAKE THIS WORK.” Except I also intimated that the desk is not destined to spend eternity in heaven, if you get my drift.

I went to the kitchen to drink some water and cool off, literally and figuratively. A few minutes later, I returned to the project and it suddenly hit me that if I configured the metal hinges slightly differently, as the picture implied but in no way made clear, the whole thing would probably work. Ten minutes later a desk was born.

We serve a truly gracious God, who cares not only for the widows and orphans but also the slightly bratty unemployed singletons. I learned, once again, that God is listening and he cares about even the little things.

I also learned something that may come in handy if my next job requires marriage counseling. Roger Ebert, the famous film critic, once said you should never marry anyone you can’t sit next to on a 3-day bus trip. I have a newer, more time-effective suggestion: before getting married, every engaged couple should have to buy a desk at IKEA and put it together.