Mountain Mover – Facing an Obstacle? He Can Make a Way 

By Bradley Shotts 

“Lord have mercy….” 

These words ring in my mind as I reflect back on how many times I have said them out loud. As we face uncertain times and hardships along the paths we walk, it is good to reflect back and remember how God has come through for us, answered our prayers, removed giants, and moved mountains that on our own we could not overcome. 

Recently, I was praying about a giant and a mountain that I am facing. I was driving to work, sitting in traffic, and God began to remind me of all the times He has come through for me. Times that I clearly did not know how in the world I would ever overcome. This encouraged me, and I know there are many of you who need this same encouragement. 

Back in 1996 my wife and I desired to adopt a baby. We decided to attend an adoption seminar and take the first step in the adoption process – through the same home where I had been adopted. The purpose of the seminar was to introduce attendees to the process and the cost associated with adoption. We left there deflated because of the exuberant cost, not knowing how in the world we would ever be able to pay the fee to begin the process. I remember Amy and I praying and simply telling God, “Lord, if this is Your will for us to adopt and have a family, we know You will make a way. We give this to You and we place it in Your hands.” 

We returned home and a few days later I received a call from the bank where I had previously worked a few years prior. The secretary to the bank president informed me that the president wanted to meet with me at 2 p.m. Completely bewildered as to why I was being called to this meeting, I nonetheless told her I would be there. 

I still remember the feeling in my stomach as I climbed the stairs leading to the executive offices of the bank. The secretary looked at me and told me to go on in, that the president was waiting for me. I had exhausted every scenario I could, trying to figure out why in the world he was wanting to talk to me. I walked in and was invited to be seated. He looked at me and said, “I understand that you and Amy are trying to adopt a baby.” 

“Yes sir,” I said, wondering how in the world he had heard this news? He continued, “Well, I think that is great! How much is that going to cost you?” I told him, now feeling like I was in some kind of dream. Without saying another word, he reached in the top drawer of his desk and pulled out a memo pad. He silently sat there writing. 

I thought to myself, “What in the world is he writing?” He looked up and handed me the memo and said, “You take this downstairs and give this to a teller. Have them give you a cashier’s check to whoever it needs to be made. This is not a loan. I don’t care if you ever pay me back. You and Amy go and get your baby.” 

I cannot begin to tell you how I felt when he said those words to me. I left the bank that day praising God – still in shock, but realizing that God had heard our prayers. What a miracle! 

God not only answered this prayer but also provided a way for me to pay back that gift within 60 days. God always does above and beyond what we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). 

Let’s look at the giant you are facing right now. There is nothing that you can do on your own to defeat this giant. It may be financial or a matter of the heart involving a relationship where healing and forgiveness need to take place. It may be a family member who is in danger and is in need of God. Whatever you are facing, God is bigger. There is nothing that God cannot repair, provide or make a way for. 

I know it looks to be impossible – and with man, it is impossible. If it were in your power, you would have already fixed it, but you cannot do it. In your hands it is a giant and a mountain that you cannot move. But God can. 

You are thinking, “I have prayed and I have prayed until I cannot pray any more. I am discouraged.” 

What do we do? We keep praying. We walk up to Jesus and we lay this burden at His feet and completely give it to Him. When our problems are at the feet of Jesus, they are not our problems any longer. They move from problems to solutions. They move from being broken to being in the hands of the potter. Only the potter can make everything look new, as if it were never broken and is now stronger than it ever was before. This is exactly what God wants to do with your situation. Not only repair it, but make it as if it never happened. 

Let’s pray together: 

“Father, You see within the heart and You know the hurt and the pain that we are facing. We choose not to carry this burden any longer. We give it to You. We ask You to open doors that men have closed.  We ask You to provide, to break barriers, to bring healing, to restore, to mend the broken, and to build bridges so that we can cross over to the other side. We place our faith and trust in You. May You do above and beyond what we ask or think in Jesus’ name. God, we ask You to do what is impossible for us. Thank You for loving us and being everything that we need. We place all of our trust in You. Amen.” 

Bradley Shotts began his ministry working in the funeral industry in 1988 at Lloyd James Funeral Home in Tyler, Texas. He currently serves as the general manager of Forest Ridge Funeral Home Memorial Park Chapel in North Richland Hills, Texas. He and his wife, Amy, live in Bedford, Texas. They have two adult children, Blaine and Braylee. Bradley is a member of Rotary International and serves on the board at Shepherd Heart Ministries in Tyler. He is an ordained minister.