I am such a cynic and God is so gracious. This was proven to me again a few days ago. I had one of those miracles happen that when I was still a hater of God I would have said, “It’s a coincidence, why are you making such a big deal out of it? Like God cares about little stuff like this!” I think I have said those exact words to someone when they have described one of what I now call ‘mini miracles’. My problem is now I am a believer but just not enough. Here is what happened.
Tuesday afternoon, RuthAnn and I were running all over town. She had a doctor’s appointment and after that we stopped in at three different stores and filled her car up with gas. Almost every time I paid for our transaction with my debit card, no big deal, right? When we got home it was late, we normally like to eat around five and it was already after six. Lots of bags to bring in, a jumble of confusion. Same time getting supper going. But eventually we sat down, ate, and enjoyed our evening together. Then comes Wednesday.
First up was, as usual, to write this blog. And as usual that took me about four hours. So around eleven I was done and readying myself to head out to the store for some parts I needed to repair one of the basketball standards at the school gym. All cleaned up, dressed and…. “where is my wallet?” Everyone has been there, right? First, I looked in all the regular places, then I went to the places where it might have fallen into. Now desperation starts setting in. I pull up cushions, search under couches, even check out the garbage can…. Nothing. I am totally panicked and as a second thought I throw out a desperate prayer. You know the kind, basically, “Help, me!” But even as I am doing this I am not listening or really believing, I am still trusting me.
In my desperation, I call RuthAnn to check her car that we had driven all over town the night before, again nothing. I try to relive every step, “Did I or RuthAnn pay for groceries at Kroger?”, our last stop. I knew I did, so I head out. Yeah, I drove without my license. But it was to no avail, my wallet had not been turned in. Returning to my car. With nowhere else to turn, I prayed as I should have the moment I discovered my wallet missing. Stopping, humbled finally, I said, “Please either show me where I have misplaced it or let me know it is gone for good.” Then I gave our gracious God time to answer. Almost instantly He did.
As I started the car and began to drive home. It became absolutely clear where my wallet was. I won’t go into the details here, but let’s just say I took my pants off in a place where I normally do not, the wallet must have fallen out of my pocket. I could see it laying on the black rug which I had walked past several times while searching. When I got home there it was. A mini miracle and an answer to prayer.
Yeah, I know the cynics and skeptics out there are all shaking their heads right now. I have been there and done that, unfortunately even after I became a believer. I would hear a story of missing keys or something and doubt. Forgive me, Lord. Because the truth is two things happened. One, RuthAnn and her class were praying and finally so did I. Two, I was shown where my wallet was. Oh, and one more thing happened, my faith was increased.
The thing is our God cares about everything. Jesus promised us this, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten by God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7) Yet in my day to day walk, I leave Him out of most every decision I make. If I do pray it is a second or third thought or maybe it is just desperation. But the apostle Paul wasn’t kidding when he wrote: “Rejoice always pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you.” (1 Thessalians 5:16-18) If I could keep what Jesus has done for me in my mind always, I would rejoice and pray about everything and not forget to give thanks and be ready because lot of prayers are going to be answered!
I did give thanks when I found my wallet. I lived in the afterglow of that mini miracle. Little by little it wears off and the world sneaks back in. But I praise God still because it has changed me. It has broken down one more chink in the rusty old worldly armor in which Satan tries to keep me bound. I pray today you find some encouragement in my sharing. Pray without ceasing and seek God’s mini miracles. He is gracious and lavishes them even on us cynics! Thank you, Lord!
Blessings and Happy Sabbath, John
3/2/18
