My mom informed me in March that this year, 2021, we were going to buy Laura a nice croquet set for her birthday. But you see, this is a complicated request – because finding a nice croquet set is not easy to do.

When we were kids our family friends had a nice croquet set. We loved to go to their house and whack the wooden balls around their huge yard – the set had endured much abuse but was built to last forever. Laura in particular loves to play croquet and for at least a handful of birthdays, we’ve bought her a new set.

But not a nice set – sure, we’ve shelled out plenty of cash – but without fail we bust all the mallets before the summer is halfway through. I determined this would be the year we found her a forever set, and embarked on a quest to find the best croquet set for under $200 with indestructible mallets and balls, made from real wood.

My only problem was, the only company doing that in 2021 is an Amish company, and they want $400 for their basic set. So I kept digging, and found that most American croquet sets prior to 1960 were made by a toy company in Indiana called the South Bend Toy Company, known for their handmade, high quality product. But they were eventually bought out by Milton Bradley and by 1980 sets were being made overseas with cheaper materials – several other companies would follow suit.

So if I didn’t want to shell out $400 on an Amish website, I needed to find a croquet set made prior to 1980 – in good condition, with all the pieces. For less than $200. I scoured ebay and other online sites, and could only find sets that were missing pieces or required a $60 shipping fee.

After weeks with no luck, I decided I was going to pray and ask God to give me a set. Why not, right? He could say no if He wanted to, He’s God.

A few days later my dig brought me back to Google, where I was trying to find a few extra pieces to a set I saw on eBay. I typed the name of the set into the search bar, and the first result that showed up was a complete set for sale on Facebook Marketplace.

In Williston, North Dakota.

Less than a mile from my house. Two hours and less than $200 later I had an immaculate 1960’s vintage set in my garage ready to be wrapped and gifted.

I might be over-detailing this entire story (trust me, I’ve left out a bunch of other nerdy details) – but you have to understand, this was the only complete set for sale in the entire COUNTRY! And it happened to be just down the street.

I tell this story because I honestly have no idea why God cares that I wanted to get my sister a croquet set for her birthday. But clearly He did.

Travis and I are in the midst of praying for some bigger things (well, bigger than croquet at least), yet I approach praying over them with such hesitancy. Does anyone else pray “Well God, I don’t dare ask for much, but if you could…I mean…I trust your will..God okay, we’re fine with whatever.”

My croquet prayer was super specific. But I think God likes specific prayers. It shows that we trust His power and His goodness – that we know we are sons and daughters, not orphans or slaves.

That doesn’t mean the answer is always yes – but sometimes, it is! God says “I heard you, and I know you! Here is a gift, I’m delighted you asked.” To pray boldly is an act of faith, one that awakens the heart of our Father God.

Right after I hit publish, I’m going to write my specific prayer on the fridge. I’m asking boldly, because a life of not asking is a life of missing out on God’s abundant grace.

Matthew 7:7-11

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!