While cleaning my studio today, I came across a faded little craft project my daughter made while in grade school.  I keep it in a frame beside my drafting table but hadn't really looked at it for years.   But it had very special meaning today as she started a new job...

She made this during a Bible class on the topic of prayer.  The colors are faded now, but it's a simple traffic light.  It's really precious to me because, in her beautifully crooked, elementary handwriting, three words are written on it: no, later, yes.  Her teacher helped her understand that when we pray, sometimes the Lord gives us a red/stop light saying "no." Other times, He gives us the yellow/yield light for "later." Then there are times we pray and receive an immediate green light for "yes."

For two years, our family has been asking the Lord for a full time job for our daughter amidst a stumbling economy.  Today, the "yes" came in the form of a full time job. What a privilege and inspiration it's been to walk along side her in the roller coaster ride of a job search.  Waiting.  Glimmers of possibility.  Dashed hopes.  Ups.  Downs.  The Lord has walked beside her (and her parents), giving her a faith in Him that's her own and not ours.  Watching the Lord sustain our kids for two years through her wonderful part-time job then fling open the door to full time employment this week has been amazing.

Sometimes He says, "no" or "later."  Today, I'm praising Him for His "yes" and for being Jehovah-Jireh, our provider.

The Pondering Palette:  Where have you received a "no"? a "later"? "yes" lately?