Don’t you? Want to hear one? Let me share a story with you. I like telling stories, but I’m not one to make a long story short. I like to share the details in the middle that make the beginning and end really come to life; at least I think they do.
This is a story that shares how the little, unrelated things that happen in life can lead to one really cool big thing.
Last week I went to the Health Dept. to get my vaccinations for the Race. I don’t have insurance, so I knew I need to bring at least $300 with me to pay for them all. The nurses that helped me were some of the nicest and most helpful people I have ever met. When it was time to get my shots they all left to go prepare them, and one came back to say “since you don’t have insurance, I can offer you a free flu shot today. Would you like one?” Of course I did, I was planning to get one anyways, why not get a free one? She came back again a minute later to say “I can also offer your Hep A shot free today because I only have one vial left, and you’re an adult.” I didn’t understand that, but who cares, another shot free! I ended up only paying $257 when it was all said and done.
I went to work the next day and had an exit interview with the HR lady. She goes over the pros and cons I had while working there. I shared that I was a bit disappointed that I had been working full time for many months, but wasn’t getting the benefits of full time. She asked payroll to look into it and couldn’t promise that anything would come out of it, but the next day they told me I would be receiving the money for the annual leave I should have accrued for all the weeks I worked full time. I won’t share the amount, but let’s just say it was a total surprise and a huge blessing!
Today I had plans to run some errands. I needed to go back to the Health Dept. because they spelled my name wrong on my yellow fever card, and being that it’s a legal document I needed it fixed. I left the house without it and had to turn around for it, this is important. I got that errand done and moved onto the next. I needed to go to Best Buy to do an exchange because the laptop my mom bought for me was not going to work. It was a chromebook and I didn’t realize how difficult it is to use Microsoft Office on one.
I get to Best Buy and am walking in when this guy behind me says “returning something?” I turned back and kindly said “um, no, making an exchange.” Well, he kept talking about it. What was I exchanging? And why? And he gave me some IT advice about getting a Mac, and I shared that I just needed something cheap and simple for my mission trip. This intrigued him. He asked about the race and we talked some about it. He then shared that he was an ordained minister and had just left a prayer meeting so he was very sensitive to God’s presence, and that was a reason that he stopped me. I was also wearing my “2017 World Racer” shirt and he thought he would talk to me about running because he assumed it was about running. It is in a way, but I’m running a different type of race.
So, I gave him my World Race business card and told him to follow my blog, I thanked him for his advice, and that it was nice to have met him. It really was God ordained, like most things in life right? Think about it, I may not have met this guy if it hadn’t been for the lady at the Health Dept. spelling my name wrong. Or if I hadn’t forgotten to grab it before leaving, because that would have put me at Best Buy before he got there. And what if I hadn’t been wearing my world race shirt today?
Maybe this doesn’t seem like a big thing to you, no I didn’t meet someone who gave $1,000 on the spot for my trip…but, to me it’s amazing. I can’t say that it was just coincidence. Just like that guy said you can’t look at the IT world and not see God in it, it’s far too advanced and intricate to not think about the master creator.
The moral of this story is to never underestimate God. He is constantly putting people in our line of walk that are able to bring something fresh to our lives. I met someone new that I was able to share the World Race with; I love getting to do that! A complete stranger who took the time to be obedient to God and speak to me. I’ll admit I was a little apprehensive at first to talk to him. I was a woman on a mission to complete my errand and I just didn’t understand why this guy was so interested in my laptop exchange.
But God works in mysterious ways. So always be open and flexible to receive what He has for you. And never underestimate Him. I’m still looking for supporters, so I have to believe that God is still placing people in my life that will want to support me. Maybe you have $1,000 that you want to sow into my mission, I have someone willing to match that! Or maybe I haven’t met that person yet. God is in control here, and I gladly let him lead the way.
Thank you for your prayers for this trip and for finances. I’m about $2,000 away from my next goal that is due in 3 days. I know God is willing, and I know he is able! It’s not too late to become a supporter. All donations are SO appreciated, I’m so thankful already for your contribution. Don’t forget they are tax-deductible.
I hope you were encouraged today!
In His Love,
Hope
