Finding Blessings in Unlikely Places
courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
This month for my blog articles I’m going to draw on conversations and interviews I’ve had with people over the years about the topic of giving thanks.
“Knowing God is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me,” said Carmen. “After years of struggling with the fear of lack (I always thought I’d end up a bag lady), I feel God is telling me there is plenty for me.
“I’ve always had a hard time buying the clothes I need. I didn’t think I deserved anything nice. I shopped garage sales and thrift shops. I remember once, years ago, wanting a new suit for work, but I couldn’t bring myself to buy one. Spending money on myself seemed wrong somehow. I wore an old T-shirt to bed for years, even though I dreamed of sleeping in a white silk nightgown.
“Then the most astounding thing happened. One day as my husband and I were driving home, I noticed something white and shimmering lying in the street. I had to stop. My husband pulled over, and when I jumped out of the car I saw a beautiful white nightgown—embossed, stylish, and brand new! In fact, it still had the store tag on it.”
Carmen picked up the nightgown, hopped back in the car and thanked God. “I told Him that however He chooses to bring things into my life is just fine with me.”
Another time Carmen needed a pair of size-six low-heeled red pumps to go with a suit for a wedding, but she didn’t have the money. God delivered again.
Her grandmother, who wore the same size shoes, gave her the exact pair she had wanted, without even knowing Carmen was in need.
“I’m such a practical person,” she says. “At times I’ve struggled with my faith in God.” But Carmen now admits God is removing her doubts in some pretty practical and unexpected ways. And she is now giving thanks in all things.
O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. —Isaiah 25:1
This is not exactly finding a blessing in an unlikely place but it is recieving a blessings unexpectanly. I had a gold cross necklace that my husband had bought for me and it was stolen by a girl who was cleaning my house but of course I could not prove it. Sometime later a friend of mine came over and said she did not know why but she had something for me that God told her to bring to me. I opened the gift and it was a pewter cross necklace and the cross piece was hollow so you could write a verse of scripture and place it in the cross. When I saw the cross I could not help but shed some tears. My friend was confused and seemed to want to apologize but I told her she didn’t understand and then I told her that my cross had been stolen. Then she said, “Now I know why God old me to give it to you”. It is very special to me and so is my friend Elaine.
Thanks for an interesting ‘blog’.
Love and blessings to you, Margaret
Thanks for sharing the story of this unexpected blessing, Margaret. How truly special. God does take care of us down to the smallest detail.
Over the years I have had many unexpected blessings. I should have kept track but I didn’t. But many times God had surprised me with something totally unexpected. A hearts desire of one kind or another. How loving and gracious is our Father in heaven who I’m sure takes delight in surprising us with our heart’s desires.
Thanks, Joan. I love hearing that you, too, have had many unexpected blessings over the years. And by the way, Happy Birthday today.
Hi Karen thanks for the birthday greeting. But you are a month early. My birthday is December 7th. Somehow f/b got my b/day wrong.
Lovely.
Thank you, Carol.