When God shows He is there

Isn't it wonderful when God shows He cares about the small details of our life? Especially when the enemy of our souls has been whispering in our spiritual ears that life is just too difficult and...where is God, anyway?...when days are a struggle? How can we trust Him for eternity...is there truly a Heaven and a New Earth or is this all there really truly is...forever? Now don't tell me the thought has never crossed your mind, especially in the middle of the night when fever is winning and the pain is intense.

It seems so often after times of trial, whether they be one day or one year, God has shown Himself in a special way. I remember a couple of years ago, heading out to some garage sales early one morning and sending up a quick prayer...telling Him that I was weary in body and soul and I needed a special sign from Him that day. I needed something that only He knew would make my heart sing. I happened upon one of those neighborhood garage sales where you could park your car and walk from house to house, a true delight for any bargain hunter.

There, in one of the garages, was the most beautiful small teacup, a true picture of elegance. I heard that still small Voice say, "This is my gift to you, it is the sign you asked me to give." A sign that showed me He was in the midst of my everyday life and he cared for the details. I don't remember if I actually asked for a teacup but I do remember thinking it would be lovely to find one that I could afford. It sits on the table beside my bed right now, bringing peace as well as beauty to my soul.

I had something similar happen yesterday when something told me to stop by Goodwill after dropping my son off at his part-time job near campus. That same feeling led me to go down an aisle I rarely go down as it has the small appliances. There, on the shelf, was a practically brand new microwave for $14.99. Only a few days earlier I was thinking how much we needed to replace our old one, given to us five years ago by my daughter and her husband when they needed to purchase a larger model (and they had bought this one at Goodwill!). It had taken nearly two minutes to melt butter recently. :)

I called my husband and asked him if it was okay to make the purchase (I told him to put my accountant on the phone) and he said the money was in the bank. As I checked out, the sales lady was staring at the microwave and told me how lucky I was as they rarely had microwaves at all and never in that kind of condition. God is in the details and sometimes we don't have to ask since He knows our thoughts and our desires. How wonderful to know luck had nothing to do with it but Love, Himself, led me there to meet a need with a price I could afford.

How easy it would be to miss His treasures, His gifts of love, if instead we become bitter and agitated over illness or lack...if we were to listen to the accuser of the brethren. Instead trust is given and patience rewarded in the midst of a fallen world.