God and our inconveniences (Isaiah 40:31)
1/5/2010
Several weeks before Christmas, my daughter called me, and asked, "Mom, could you go get some toys, hot chocolate, and Bibles for our military in Iraq, because I don't have the time?" I said, "That is a neat request!" She said, "That is what the men and women are asking for." Her place of business was going to send boxes of wanted things over to Iraq for Christmas.
I headed to a certain store, because I had seen a lot of Bibles there for one dollar. However, I could only find a few when I got there. I asked several clerks and they said, "I don't know where they are." After asking God to show me where the Bibles were and combing the store, I thought, "They must not have anymore."
I then got in a long line and paid for what I had. As I was walking out, I looked over at a man carrying about 10 Bibles. I asked, "Hey, where did you get them?" Sure enough almost 7 feet away from me were stacks of Bibles. I said, "God, I asked You to let me see where the Bibles were but You didn't. Now I will have to stand in another long line." I was frustrated at God. Can you relate?
My shopping basket had already purchased stuff in it, so I filled my kid seat part with Bibles. The Bibles were stacked very high so everyone saw them. I got in another long line and had two women in front of me ask me, "Why so many?" I told them about my daughter's work, and our military wanting Bibles in their Christmas boxes. One of the gals started crying and said, "God used you to show me my prayers for our military have been answered. I have been praying that they would turn to Him." The other started talking to us about the family in need she was buying for. We told her we would pray for them. The two gals in back of me had gotten into the conservation. One handed me $9 and said, "I would love to have given you more to help pay for the Bibles. I think sending Bibles to our troops is such a wonderful thing to do. You have made my day." The other woman said, "This is a neat Christmas moment!" I certainly agreed!
As I was pushing my basket full of Bibles to my car, I was feeling in high spirits. I prayed, "Lord, I am so sorry I was frustrated at You over the Bible inconvenience! It made my Christmas buying Bibles for our troops, talking to those lovely women, and seeing how You use inconveniences to bless and strengthen us all! Let me trust in Your reasoning always, Lord; knowing You are in control and love us all!"
O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?... Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless... But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:27-31 (NLT)
Because of God's sovereignty, Gini