Welcome P31 Devotion Readers!
And my bloggy friends!
I have a special giveaway today announced at the bottom of the post. But to fully understand it, read this first:
Recently a lady with two small children wearing threadbare clothing prayed a prayer much like this one:
"I say to God my Rock, 'Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?' My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, 'Where is your God?' Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42: 9-11)
Meanwhile, miles away, I was shopping for a red coat.
I've wanted a red coat for years. But paying full price for a coat seems excessive when I have several perfectly fine coats in my closet. So, each year I've decided to wait until the coats go on clearance and then I'd treat myself.
But, by the time the coats went on clearance, it was flip flop weather. And who wants to spend their clothing budget on red coats when just the thought of walking outside makes you sweat?
So, year after year, I've gazed at but never purchased this red, winter wardrobe treasure.
But someone must have told this one particular store with particularly darling red coats that the economy has taken a bit of a hit this year and not many people would be buying red coats. This store had my coat on sale! While it is still cold outside!
I wanted to get the coat right then. However, I had a coupon for an additional 50% off one item from this store that wasn't good until a week later. That would make the coat a most fabulous deal. One of those deals that a girl could proudly wear and tell all her friends about.
Yes ma'am.
So, I hung my treasure back on the rack and determined to come back and get it a week later.
Two days later I was out and about when my husband proudly called to tell me he'd taken several of our bed comforters to the local coin laundry mat. He'd just gotten up that day and decided it was comforter washing day.
I very much appreciated his thoughtfulness. But, panic arose in my chest when he informed me he'd left several of the comforters drying and wondered if I might go pick them up. I was certain they'd be gone. Rule number one with the coin laundry mat, you don't leave your stuff there unsupervised.
I walked into the laundry mat and much to my delight, the comforters were calmly waiting on me.
While gathering my things, I saw her.
The woman with two small children wearing threadbare clothing.
I leaned down to the kids and attempted to make small talk about Christmas and what a fun time of the year it is. But my attempts fell short. And out of the corner of my eye, I saw their mom hang her head.
I wished them well and scurried out.
As soon as I started to drive off, God pricked my heart. "You looked at those kids, but chose not to really see them. Go back. Help them. Help her."
Many thoughts and questions justified me just driving on home. I was in a hurry. I didn't have any cash. How could I help? What would she think of me? Would I offend her by giving her a check? I didn't even know her name to write it on a check.
I could help her- so why was I hesitant?
I pulled out my checkbook. I suddenly I knew the exact amount I was to give her. The full price cost of that red coat.
I walked back in the laundry mat and handed her the check. "You'll just need to write your on this and I promise my bank will cash it. It's not much but I'd love for you to take it and buy your kids something fun for Christmas."
Shocked, she thanked me. And then as I turned to leave she called out her name. Her name- the one God has engraved on the palm of His hand. The one he loves and hears and cares so deeply about.
Funny enough, I went into the red coat store yesterday to return some pants I'd gotten. Every one of those red coats I'd wanted so much were gone. I smiled. And bought a red scarf on clearance instead.
I think I'm going back to the coin laundry mat this weekend. And I can't wait to see who I'll meet.
Sometimes mission trips are right in our own back yard.
___________________________________________________________________
So, my giveaway today is three of my books- your choice. One for you to keep and two for you to give away. I'm certain God will show you exactly who you're supposed to give them to if you are the winner.
To enter, leave a comment below with the three books of mine you'd choose. Here's the link to see a list and description of the books I've written.
Merry Christmas!
And my bloggy friends!
I have a special giveaway today announced at the bottom of the post. But to fully understand it, read this first:
Recently a lady with two small children wearing threadbare clothing prayed a prayer much like this one:
"I say to God my Rock, 'Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?' My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, 'Where is your God?' Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42: 9-11)
Meanwhile, miles away, I was shopping for a red coat.
I've wanted a red coat for years. But paying full price for a coat seems excessive when I have several perfectly fine coats in my closet. So, each year I've decided to wait until the coats go on clearance and then I'd treat myself.
But, by the time the coats went on clearance, it was flip flop weather. And who wants to spend their clothing budget on red coats when just the thought of walking outside makes you sweat?
So, year after year, I've gazed at but never purchased this red, winter wardrobe treasure.
But someone must have told this one particular store with particularly darling red coats that the economy has taken a bit of a hit this year and not many people would be buying red coats. This store had my coat on sale! While it is still cold outside!
I wanted to get the coat right then. However, I had a coupon for an additional 50% off one item from this store that wasn't good until a week later. That would make the coat a most fabulous deal. One of those deals that a girl could proudly wear and tell all her friends about.
Yes ma'am.
So, I hung my treasure back on the rack and determined to come back and get it a week later.
Two days later I was out and about when my husband proudly called to tell me he'd taken several of our bed comforters to the local coin laundry mat. He'd just gotten up that day and decided it was comforter washing day.
I very much appreciated his thoughtfulness. But, panic arose in my chest when he informed me he'd left several of the comforters drying and wondered if I might go pick them up. I was certain they'd be gone. Rule number one with the coin laundry mat, you don't leave your stuff there unsupervised.
I walked into the laundry mat and much to my delight, the comforters were calmly waiting on me.
While gathering my things, I saw her.
The woman with two small children wearing threadbare clothing.
I leaned down to the kids and attempted to make small talk about Christmas and what a fun time of the year it is. But my attempts fell short. And out of the corner of my eye, I saw their mom hang her head.
I wished them well and scurried out.
As soon as I started to drive off, God pricked my heart. "You looked at those kids, but chose not to really see them. Go back. Help them. Help her."
Many thoughts and questions justified me just driving on home. I was in a hurry. I didn't have any cash. How could I help? What would she think of me? Would I offend her by giving her a check? I didn't even know her name to write it on a check.
I could help her- so why was I hesitant?
I pulled out my checkbook. I suddenly I knew the exact amount I was to give her. The full price cost of that red coat.
I walked back in the laundry mat and handed her the check. "You'll just need to write your on this and I promise my bank will cash it. It's not much but I'd love for you to take it and buy your kids something fun for Christmas."
Shocked, she thanked me. And then as I turned to leave she called out her name. Her name- the one God has engraved on the palm of His hand. The one he loves and hears and cares so deeply about.
Funny enough, I went into the red coat store yesterday to return some pants I'd gotten. Every one of those red coats I'd wanted so much were gone. I smiled. And bought a red scarf on clearance instead.
I think I'm going back to the coin laundry mat this weekend. And I can't wait to see who I'll meet.
Sometimes mission trips are right in our own back yard.
___________________________________________________________________
So, my giveaway today is three of my books- your choice. One for you to keep and two for you to give away. I'm certain God will show you exactly who you're supposed to give them to if you are the winner.
To enter, leave a comment below with the three books of mine you'd choose. Here's the link to see a list and description of the books I've written.
Merry Christmas!
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