Unanswered Prayers

"Just the other night at a hometown football game
My wife and I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldn't help but think of the way things used to be
She was the one that I'd wanted for all times
And each night I'd spend prayin' that God would make her mine
And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then
I'd never ask for anything again
CHORUS:
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
In her eyes too it seemed
We tried to talk about the old days
There wasn't much we could recall
I guess the Lord knows what he's doin' after all
And as she walked away and I looked at my wife
And then and there I thanked the good Lord
For the gifts in my life
CHORUS
Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers"
--Garth Brooks, "Unanswered Prayers"

I can remember a time or two (at least) in the last couple of years when I've really really wanted something and prayed about it really hard, asking for it, but it didn't happen. Thing was, it was what I wanted, and not what the Lord wanted for me. Looking back at it now, I'm thankful beyond words that I wasn't granted what I wanted at the time. I may not always understand the reasons why things happen the way they do- most of the time I don't- but I know if I let God do the leading, it'll turn out just fine. Thank God, indeed, for "unanswered prayers"...

One more win and the Panthers will be in the Superbowl- go Panthers! :)-