By God's Design

I love how God is in the little things every day. When we forget He is sovereign and cares about our every need, (well, I do that often enough, you may not) He sends us a gift of experience to show us that He truly is orchestrater of all things.

Today (actually, last week now since I am finishing this post from a draft) I went to a ladies Bible study I had not been attending regularly. I did not do the homework, though I have the book; I didn't even know what week they were on. When I woke up, my intention was not to go, but to stay home and catch up on the many things that needed to be done...but as my morning geared up today, I felt God leading me there, so I changed plans.

The study itself was wonderful (Beth Moore study, this week about submitting to Christ's yoke and allowing Him to be the potter in our lives - very good teaching and inspiring thoughts), but the week's topic was not the main reason I was called to be there (I had thought perhaps it would be). At the end, as I was preparing to leave, one of the ladies asked if there was anywhere in town to purchase dyeable shoes for a formal wedding. Many ladies shared ideas and information, but each was something she had already tried (with the exception of ordering online, but her feet are hard to fit and she needed them by this weekend). She had been to the local store that was suggested, where another lady had just purchased a pair last week, and was told by the manager that they did not have any.

Would you believe (well, of course you would believe, but this tickles me!) that I had seen a pair in my daughter's garage cubby just days before, and had taken note of it for some reason. They had been playing dress up and pulled out some old shoes I had worn in a wedding, that I had never dyed, that had been in one of the kids closets for YEARS. The girls had only recently moved them down to their dress up box, and who knows how they got outside where I would see and notice them...

I asked what size she needed, of course it was my exact size. I encouraged her that this must be the reason I had arrived and had seen the shoes a few days prior - because God was saving them for her. She wasn't certain as she had specifics - She couldn't wear high heels, and also required a looser fit in the back as she had a brace that needed to be fit into the right shoe. I was just certain this would work out for her since it was such "coincidence" all the way around. Sure enough, they fit perfectly, were comfortable with the brace, and she was amazed and delighted. I smiled so widely as she drove away. God is SOOOO good to us! It tickles me when he answers our needs that way.

When sharing this with a friend the next day, she shared her story of His divine prompts. She had been grocery shopping the day before, had been buying milk and decided to buy a gallon extra of her regular brand. Now, she has never bought extra, but recently our grocery store has been going through renovations and she had forgotten milk once because of not seeing it on her regular route through, so she felt prompted to get another gallon and just assumed it was because she was concerned she might forget again before renovations were completed (as they have moved the milk two or three times at this point).

She was just completing checkout when the lady behind her, who looked very frazzled with two toddlers and fatigued eyes said "Oh, no, I forgot to get milk..." Jenny looked at her and said "What kind do you buy?" Of course, same brand, same type (1%) ~ Jenny smiled, handed her the already paid for gallon, and told her to have a wonderful day ~

The God we worship is amazing. Each day He reminds me more deeply how much we are incredibly loved. Wow. I am thrilled to be a part of His divine plan, and so blessed to be used at times. Thank YOU, most gracious, magnificent One. Your are beyond compare! Bless You.