**********If you haven’t read Part 1 go read “This is How God ‘Rolls’**********************
This a small continuation of the blog that marks the beginnings of this epic journey…..
Two Fridays before I would be eating my dinner in Asia, I was having dinner with my mom. We were celebrating the end of a health food diet by going to Panera and eating salads. Yes, we could have chosen anything, but that’s how I roll when I am with my mom. We talked about getting a movie and eating banana “ice cream.”*
I needed to stop by the store first and since we had driven separately I was sent to get the frozen bananas while she stopped downtown to pay a bill.** Panera is close to Publix and I considered going there because ‘buy one, get one’ deals but I felt like I should go to Walmart instead. I drove up the hill and pulled into the crowded lot of cars hoping to rush in and out. In a small town, seeing someone you know at Walmart is as natural as breathing.
I ran inside and stopped by the frozen fruits to grab bananas, but remembering that I had bananas in the freezer at home, I briskly walked to the baking section to grab some pecans. I got what I needed and went to the self-check out. Before I got to the area, I had a thought that there may be cheaper pecans by the fruits and vegetables, so I started that way to compare prices.
As I walked by the vegetables I saw a familiar face and hat. I confusingly called his name. He turned around while asking who was calling for him. I could not believe it. I could not believe that God had set this up and authored it. I could not believe that he was here, in Walmart. Not only was he here but it was one year after the Lord first called me to Gap Year. He asked who I was again. In my shock I explained that I had met him about 11 months ago in a skating rink. He remembered our interaction and asked how I was and what I was doing now. I explained that I was about to leave for the very trip he had given towards. I could not believe that I had the opportunity to share with him all that God had done through his gift.
Did he realize that God used him to confirm Gap Year for me? Did he know that he was a part of one of the biggest steps of faith I had taken? Did he know I had shared his story of giving with many people and he was part of sharing the wonder of God with others?
I had in fact shared his story twice that very day with strangers who needed to hear that God is indeed active and faithful in the lives of His kids. I was amazed to reconnect with this veteran and share all that God had done and was doing. I walked away from Walmart rejoicing in God who is attentive to our lives and is one amazing author. I had gotten to reconnect with the veteran who was the vessel of God’s confirmation and share the faithfulness of our Father with him. Wow.
It is amazing to think that God would take the time to set that up and make sure that this man knew what he was a part of and for me to just be amazed at a Father who is attentive in my life.***
Who do we serve? How good is He? He is an author and a finisher… He is a mystery.
*If you have a food processor or a juicer simply take frozen bananas and put them in the machine. You will have creamy, all natural banana ice cream in minutes. Add almond milk and pecans to spice things up or if you really want to spice things up, add spices….
**You know that you have passed the realm of childhood when you pay bills or maybe it’s the fact that you have a daughter who you can send to buy frozen bananas….
*** this is funny because God is outside of time, so it’s really not that hard for him. I imagine it’s also fun!
