Have you ever had something seemingly minor happen that would turn out having a major impact in your life? Well it happened for me a few days ago. I volunteer in the bookstore at my church. Nothing major, just working the register and assisting customers/visitors on Sundays after service. Being that I work in the bookstore and am a complete and total advocate for retail therapy, it's no surprise that I "occasionally" find an item in the store that I'd like to purchase. On this occasion, it was a ring. A big, shiny, silver and black fleur de lis. It was a new item in the store and immediately caught my eye for multiple reasons, one of them being because it's the symbol of the New Orleans Saints (GEAUX SAINTS).
The ring was $10 and I continued to eye it and try it on while deciding whether or not I should make the purchase. "It's ONLY $10, and it's sooooo pretty!" That's what I kept telling myself. But then my other self would chime in saying "But do you REALLY need that? $10 could buy you dinner some day. Isn't dinner more important than a ring?" *sigh* (I really hate my other self some times)
Finally after seeing me agonize over a seemingly small issue, the bookstore manager decides to let me get it at the warehouse price of $5 … SCORE!! So I give her my 5 bucks and thank God for showing me favor and allowing me to purchase something. Something nice. Something pretty. Something that I didn't need, but that I obviously desired. Little did I know that He wasn't done showering His love on me and wanted to do more than give me a nice & shiny ring …
After leaving the bookstore for the day and I begin telling a friend about my purchase and the deal that I got. After I told her, she tells me that the Lord was telling her to give me $20 and she didn't know why, but she gave it to me anyway. I was blown away!!! Speechless! To most, it' just $20 … not like I'd just won the lottery. But to me, it wasn't just the fact that someone gave me $20; it was the fact that the Lord prompted them to do so. Immediately I felt Him telling me that He loves me and it pleases Him to give me the desires of my heart. I don't have to agonize over whether or not I'll be able to use my spare $10 for something else more important. "Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their own clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you". –Matthew 6:28-30
So now, and forever, this ring, this seemingly small, shiny $10 piece of jewelry, is more than just an accessory. This ring is a gift from my Father. A permanent reminder that just as He so wonderfully cares for the lillies (or the Fleur de Lis if you're speaking french!), He will certainly care for me. Not only will He give me the thing that I desire, but He will go beyond that and give me a little extra on top! My Father … He really is too good for words.
