The other day I was walking the dogs before going in to the office, praying for several friends and acquaintances I dearly want to come to Christ. Some I have been praying for over four years. I asked God, "I don't see anything happening. They seem to be as far from You as ever. Why?" I looked down, seeing acorns all over the ground underneath the huge oak tree in our front yard, and God spoke into my heart, saying, "These acorns don't sprout and take root immediately. It takes time to grow into a tree like this. There is more going on than you can see right now."
I realized God is at work in the lives of those I am praying for, in ways I don't even know. I happened to talk later that day with Elizabeth, the sister of my friend Aaron who went home to Heaven this past May. I told her what God had spoken to me, and she exclaimed, "Wow, that is incredible! What an answer to my prayers. I just spoke with Dad, and he told me he has starting to think he should find a good church. I also gave him a new Bible, and told him to start reading in John. He said he would. God is working on him!" Her dad has been one of those I have been praying for, since before Aaron died.
That evening, I got a call from my friend Pat, who is another one I have been praying for. We had not talked since I sent him a lengthy, heart-felt Facebook message, entreating him to come to Christ. That was back in July I think. He said he had been thinking about me lately, and wanted to get together and ride some this fall. I gave him some times I would be free to go, and he said he'd try to work out some of them. Again, God at work in Pat's life, keeping us connected so I have opportunities to share the love of Christ with a dear friend.
So often, in our "instant everything" culture, we expect God to work the same way as our smart phones- instant input, instant response. But God works on a different timetable, in much deeper ways than we know. I'm reminded of this great verse in 2 Peter 3:9-
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
When you can't see His hand at work, you can always trust His heart. He is working.