Description

I Was Feeling So Lonely: Ralph Mattingly

It might surprise us just how closely Heavenly Father is listening to us and how much he wants to bless us. For example:

Ralph served in the army in the Korean War. While he was away in the army, his parents moved to a small town about 300 miles from where he had originally lived. He came home to a new home and new town. He knew no one.

There was a girl that he had been interested in before the service, but she was now far away, and there was no one in the little community to date—at least, there was no one his age. It was a lonely and difficult time. Ralph described it this way:

“I was feeling so lonely one night, I cried to the Lord to help me find a wife. About two hours after I had fervently prayed, I heard a knock at my door. When I opened it, I could not believe what I saw. There, standing at my door, was the girl who lived 300 miles north, alongside her parents. I invited them in. Her parents asked if I had a place for them to sleep, which I did have. The girl and I spent most of the night making plans for the future. We were married about 30 days later.”

It is said that God moves in mysterious ways and I believe that is true, but there is one truth that is so simple, plain, and straightforward as to be indisputable—God hears and answers prayers. Moreover, prayer is not an offered convenience if we want it, it is a duty and commandment. He wants to hear from us and be there for us. Ralph concluded: