Not Just an Ordinary Umbrella

To the untrained eye, this may look like an ordinary beach umbrella in a stand. But to me, it represents inspiration. Please don't mock my little story.

I have a strong belief in answers to prayers. Years ago, I read a book that completely inspired me, and I have never forgotten some of the things written in it, but I can't remember the title! It was the story of a lady who had one baby, two sets of twins, a set of triplets, and another single baby. She told of how she managed and how she received answers to her prayers. This was more than 25 years ago but I have never forgotten one of her stories.

She said that our Heavenly Father loves us and he is interested in what we are doing. Things that are important to us, are important to Him too. She said our Father knows ALL things-has all knowledge of ALL subjects. She said that one time she was struggling to make a pair of drapes for her house. She couldn't afford drapes in the store and she found some inexpensive fabric. She then prayed about it, asking for help in making the pinch pleats that she had no idea how to make. She recalled that some ideas came into her mind and she proceeded to make the drapes, and they turned out great!

Shortly thereafter, she was speaking with a professional seamstress, who made drapes and other decorative items for homes and began discussing with her the latest drape-making project. To her amazement, the process that the professionals use to make pinch pleated drapes was EXACTLY the same process that came to her mind as she was praying about it.

So here's my little story: I have wanted a large umbrella for my pool for YEARS. I have looked and looked and they are SO expensive. I really wanted to have one for our family Memorial Day fun in the sun party to inaugurate the pool season, but they all cost over $200 for the stand and the umbrella. Things are tight right now-what with one returned missionary and one getting ready to leave! So one morning as I was saying my prayers, an idea popped into my head!

Why not make a stand out of PVC pipe to hold up the beach umbrellas that we had already stashed in our garage. They are only used once or twice a year-but they work just fine. So off I headed to Lowe's. My original idea didn't work, but as I stared at the containers of PVC pipe, I figured out how to put one together! It worked perfectly! All for about $20.

So now I have my pool umbrellas, and a stronger testimony that God loves me and my prayers are important!