When my kids were small I would make a weekly trip to the grocery store. When I say my kids....I have 3 of my own and my niece was with us everyday as I babysat her and she spent a lot of nights with us too. She was and still is our 4th kid. She and my youngest boy are 1 year apart.
Anyway our trips to the grocery store sometimes really weren't that pleasant. But i took them along most times anyway. The two little ones would want that cart that looks like a car and half way through the trip they would fight and one of them would get out and walk. I got to the point where I didn't get that cart anymore. My middle boy never gave a problem but I knew he would rather be home playing than shopping. My oldest girl didn't say anything, but would help me get things we needed. Our trips were long because i was very particular in how I spent our money. My husband worked so hard for what we had. I had lots of coupons and knew in my head what we needed for that week. So it took longer than it should have.
This one time I got to the checkout and was about $20 short......I was so embarrassed. I started asking the cashier to put this and that back for me. A kind stranger in line behind me wanted to pay the difference for me but I wouldn't have it. He kept insisting and I said "no thank you".........my pride got in the way.
Laying in bed this morning this story came to mind. Why.....I don't know, but that's how God does things in my life. One thing I do know is I missed an opportunity for someone to help me. I've always been prideful that way. Asking and accepting help from others is something I'm working on with the Lords help, and I'm doing better, but looking back to that day I regret not letting this stranger help me. God uses all kinds of people in all kinds of ways. He uses people and situations in ways we never thought possible. We Just have to let people help us and let Him work.
I to have a problem letting people help me when i need it. it can be physical help for things like moving something heavy, to asking for money and even others with my faith. These were mistakes as i see it now. Especially when it came to my wife helping me when i had lost my faith. Thanks to her powerful faith WE were able to overcome that. However, recently she reminded me that i should have let someone buy our dinner. As she explained it, i may have taken something from that person, as they were trying to do good by God as well.
ReplyDeleteIt all comes down to us thinking more about what we think other will think of us and not remembering that God has plans for others as well. Hopeful we both will be able to recognize these signs in the future.
Thanks for sharing and your wife is amazing. She has such faith and so do you! To be honest this past year with everything that happened to my husband and having to give a lot away.....and some things taken away......I have learned A lot. I've opened up to some and in the process been blessed not only for opening up, but the Lord has used this to change my outlook and help my pride. Yes it's still a struggle, but like you said we will be able to recognize the signs from now on.
ReplyDeleteKaren and I have had our share of hard times as well, but God got us through them. He will get you guys through this also.
ReplyDeleteOh I have no doubt.....he does what he needs to when he needs to.....I'm trusting that. Who am I to question His ways?
ReplyDeleteI know he uses all kinds of circumstances and people to teach us things. If I'd not been through the things I've been through already I wouldn't be where I'm at today.....so it's all good.
Can't say it's easy.....but trusting it all to work in me for good.
He will use this for your good as well. You can't see it yet because you are in the middle of it. But, when you come out on the other side and are stronger in faith and a person you will know why it happened. I see how it was for me. I would not want to go through it again, but I am closer to him than I have ever been. I will pray that it how it works for you as well.
ReplyDeleteAmen.....thanks a lot. :)
ReplyDelete