God cares so much. Although most of the time we fail to recognize even the things He does for us each day, He still cares, still loves us and in spite of our lack of recognition of Him continues in His quest of showing us again. I just want to share a funny, amazing, God breathed moment that happened to us yesterday. It was such a faith builder. A nudge from God. I love that He loves to do that!
Yesterday we made our one weekly trip to Tupelo to see civilization...aka the mall, restaurants and a real sized walmart. We have been taking karis to the mall each week to ride the carousel as a reward for using the potty. So we finally get there...and the operator is gone to dinner! (now this is after we have already walked around the whole food court trying to get "cash back"...eventually leaving the mall, going to walmart and getting cash...then coming back to the mall.) By this point, karis is pretty frustrated about the whole thing. She just wants to ride!! So while we wait for the lady to come back, we decided to walk around the mall. We walked to the end of the mall into Belk, hoping to spot a good mothers day gift. After finding nothing we proceeded to walk through the back of the store, and make the loop to go out.
As we're walking, a woman from Olan Mills came up behind us and started telling us about a coupon she had- a package of pics with no sitting fee and like 30 prints for $12. The whole time I'm thinking that it's a coupon--like a special their running for mothers day, and she's just handing them out. During the conversation, Eric and I say nothing to each other--we're just listening to this lady about the coupon. Then-- eric pulls all the cash we just got to ride the carousel out of his pocket. Im thinking, "He must have a word from the Lord to give this woman some money." So He counts the money--gives it to the woman. And we just bought a COUPON FOR OLAN MILLS! (which i stilll didn't realize til we're walking away from the woman) lol. So--I'm completely frustrated that we wasted $12 on this coupon we're never gonna use. Eric bought it thinking that, because I looked so interested in what the woman was saying, that i WANTED him to buy it!!! (Wow--not the greatest communication:) )
So--we're walking out of Belk. I'm on the verge of tears because we just WASTED $12 that we could've bought dinner with... and eric is in shock that I didn't realize we had to pay for the coupon. (I know $12 sounds like nothing--but when you are one income family and that one income is $8.60 an hour, part time....$12 is a lot! AND- we have been working to become good stewards of what God has given us-- so I felt like I had BEEN robbed of $12!!! )
***Just a side note-- We recently listened to a sermon from Mike Bickle at IHOP about giving extravagantly to God. He gave testimony after testimony of how God gave back to him when he gave. And so--we have challenged ourselves to give.***
So as we're walking to the carousel, eric is telling me not to worry about it. "Maybe the lady needed another sale for the day. ..it was only $12...it's no big deal." Then he says it..."God can give it back." I'm thinking--$12 is not that big of a deal to God! Well we get to the carousel-- pay the $2 to ride (eric and karis ride and i watch and wave:) When the horses slow down, signaling the end of the ride, THE LADY STARTS IT UP AGAIN!! (By the way-- we see this lady every week and she is not the most friendly type. I would have NEVER NEVER NEVER expected her to let karis go again, FOR FREE!!) So we're up $2. We leave the mall laughing, saying God has $10 more to go.
We head over to Olive Garden because Eric wants a good salad. In the center console I find a survey receipt from the last time we went to Olive Garden. The ticket says if you call in within 2 days of eating and complete the survey, you get $4 off. Well it had been WELL over 2 days! But I said "Well, we'll give God the chance for $4 more." So I call, and accidentally hit one of the numbers in our coupon code twice. Thinking, "oh well", i continue listening as the recording says, " We are having trouble retrieving your ticket ID. We are going to go ahead and give you the code for the coupon."
I'm trying to find something to write the code down...completely astonished--laughing hysterically that this is happening. So we're halfway to $12 right? We finish our time out, drive home and get out to check the mail. In the mail is one envelope of junk mail and 1 envelope from Dominion Virginia Power. Eric gets in the car saying, " I hope this isn't another bill-- we've been in Hamilton for almost 6 months." He opens the envelope and its a check for $12.80!!! I know. Crazy. Right?? By the end of the night-- we made money!!
It just brought such a fresh experience to giving and seeing God at work. I'm not saying God always is going to give back what you give, but He just might...and more!! I encourage you to listen to the message from Mike about it. I'll try and post a link:) Keep giving. But only give what costs you something! God is so faithful!!
Mike Bickle - Give Extravagantly: The Joy of Financial Power Encounters
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