Funny thing

It's a funny thing how God answers prayer. Yesterday I prayed that God would allow me to see the beauty all around me. I thought I was praying that I would stop and admire His creation in the midst of a busy week. You know, stop and smell the roses. But He had something else in mind.
After I dropped the kids off at their respective camps, I planned to make a quick run to the store and then spend the rest of the morning doing what this week was set aside for, the reason I am missing VBS- school planning. Well, as I ran into the house to drop off my cold and frozen items I realized the usual 10 pound weight on my arm was missing. WHERE WAS MY PURSE? Panic. I had just filled it with the weekly cash to buy groceries, get the boys' haircuts, etc. Where ever it was, a whopping $200 in cash was inside for the taking! Oh no! I tried to retrace my steps, but ran out of time because it was time to pick up Lydie. After that I had exactly 30 minutes to get across town to the boys. Then I noticed the low gas light was on in the car. I wondered how long that's been blinking? That blasted star symbol was on, meaning I had less than 5 miles to go before I would be walking. But wait, I had no wallet. I let myself imagine the nightmare of identity theft for about 30 seconds and then decided I would allow none of those imaginary fears to paralyze me. I needed to get moving!
Okay, so I had my three year old (who needed to go potty and was hungry for a snack), I had my car, but I had no money or phone. I decided to borrow a phone and call my best friend...but what's her number? I had no idea. I don't even know my Mom's number by heart. It's all in the phone, in the purse, lost. We stopped and prayed. There were 20 minutes now until VBS was over. I was just not going to make it. I mentally retraced my steps again. Ah, yes. I figured out where I left the purse. When I unloaded the groceries I was too busy praying for my husband who was working outside in the heat, plus relishing the plot in my current book to remember to grab it! I made a mental note to go easier on the kids when they daydream.
We went back to Wal-mart and there it was in Customer Service! Praise God! And with all the cash in tow!! I texted Lizzie (with now 10 minutes to make a 20 minute drive and get gas and let Lydie go teetee). The text said, "I need ur help." She called. She picked up the boys. She rescued. He rescues. Praise be to God.
The morning was a disappointment. I missed my school planning time, which made me feel a little guilty because it is, after all, the reason I am not helping with VBS. It was crazy and felt fruitless. But on the other hand, all was recovered. I saw God come through again. The boys were laughing and giggling when I picked them up, glad to have 20 extra minutes with friends. The purse was recovered. The car did NOT run out of gas. Lydie made it to the potty.
It doesn't always end that neatly, but when it does I feel inclined to enjoy it! Amazing friend, faithful God, precious children, thankful heart. I see the beauty. All's well that ends well.

"Joy is the gigantic secret of the Christian."

~G. K. Chesterton