Yesterday was the United States Coast Guard’s 233 birthday. There was a celebration for Coast Guard Day that Colby, Remi, and I attended. There were yard games, hot dogs, and cake. A good old fashion get together.

There were also raffle prizes at this gathering. So when we arrived at the park, we bought our tickets and split them up into different raffle prizes. Colby had his eye on a big grill. I saw a few little gifts that didn’t really stand out to me, but then one box caught my eye. A Cuisineart ice cream maker. I’m not really sure why it drew me in. Something about the thought of making a million different flavors of ice cream in the comfort of my home just really called to me. So I took seven of our raffle tickets and threw them in the pot. Then I thought about it a little longer and put three more tickets in for good measure.

Now, there were about 100 people at the event, so my odds did not feel too good. We enjoyed food and talked with plenty of people. We let Remi play around in her little wagon and have the time of her life. Then near the end of the event, they started announcing the raffle winners.

They began to announce the smaller prizes first like some speakers and tumblers. In my head, I told God that I actually did want this ice cream maker, but if we win or not, I don’t really care that much. It felt strange to pray for such an insignificant thing. I mean, I didn’t wake up that morning longing for an ice cream maker. This appliance has never really been at the top of my must-have lists. When I picture my dream life, an ice cream maker is not the first item in my kitchen. Waffle maker? Absolutely. But an ice cream maker is more just a fun little item to have.

Colby really was not on board for this thing. He got all stressed out about where we would store this machine. It was a ridiculous thought that I would waste ten perfectly good tickets on such an item.

So, I was chill. I had said my little prayer that I wanted this thing, but in the end it was all just for a good time. The announcer said it was time to draw for the ice cream maker, and I did get a little excited. Colby was holding all 35 of our tickets while I was looking at tickets for a friend who had left. They started reading the number on the ticket drawn and Colby just slowly started raising his hand as he stared at our tickets.

“No way” I exclaimed and I knew Colby was thinking the same thing. He ran up to where they were handing out the prizes, and I just couldn’t believe it. Like this wasn’t a big deal, but it was just a shock that we really won it.

I thought surely some other lucky guy or gal would win this machine. But I prayed for it.

That is not to say that everything we pray for we receive. Especially for something like an ice cream maker. But it sure is hard to see the Lord provide when You are not looking to Him.

I think God wants us to approach him with the small stuff. The silly things. Things we think He wouldn’t care about. Seemingly insignificant things. Why? Because that is how dependence begins.

Like the true Coastie he is, my husband explains it in the example of steering a ship. When navigating the water in a large boat, it is difficult to make quick turns. So when a turn is approaching, you want to slowly go at an angle in smaller increments until you reach the desired angle. Little by little you go in the direction you want as opposed just turning the steering wheel like you would in a car. It is the same way with prayer life.

When wanting to expand your prayer life and walk more like Jesus. You can start with the little prayers. Prayer for the small stuff. Once you get in the habit of praying for the small things, praying for bigger things just comes naturally. You pray for the “insignificant” until you are going the direction you want, which is the natural inclination to pray for all things.

Sometimes those little things you prayed for don’t happen, and that can just roll off your back. Just because you ask God for something does not mean He has to give it to you, small or big. But the practice of turning to God for anything and everything is not about getting what we want. It is about learning the will of our Father. It is about being dependent on His power. Prayer helps us to know God deeper.

“Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request” – Ephesians 6:18 (CSB).

At all times and with every request. There are no promises we get exactly what we ask for, but the promise of the Holy Sprit meeting us in that prayer is guaranteed. And you never know, God might just bless you with a nifty ice cream maker.