It was 2 days after Christmas.
Not the day after, when many shop to grab the deals that weren’t deals before Christmas.
No, this is the day after that day. The shelves and racks are nearly depleted.
I don’t like to shop; my daughter does. Shopping for me is a mission. Shopping for her is an adventure. I’ve mentored her as to how to spend – and now she mentors me as to what to buy! On this day, we’re “on mission” for me. I need a long dress for a fancy affair. I’m excited about the event, but I’ve put off shopping for the dress.
When any of the kids and I go shopping, each of us prays aloud. Sometimes we go home empty-handed, perhaps disappointed, yet peaceful. When we make purchases, we thank God for His generosity.
On this day my prayer was more of a moan, “Lord, I don’t wanna shop today! But, I need a long dress – for an amazing price – and I don’t want to spend all day on this.”
I spoke my feelings and desire to the One that I know already knows, yet delights when we actually confide to him.
When we don’t ask God, it’s easy to take the matter into our own hands. Aren’t all things better, led by the hand of God?
Every circumstance is an opportunity to practice seeking God.
“You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4.2)
First store … no long dresses. The fancy affair is in 2 days. I push away fretful thoughts and silently repeat, “Please help me, God. Show us where to go. Help me see the one You have. Help me find it…”
All these prayers, for a silly-ole dress.
“Mom, I’m praying, too,” my sweet girl says. …Funny, how many times have I said that to her over the years?
Store #2: Four dresses my size. Three “no way!’s” and one “maybe”.
Standing at the 3-way mirror, indecisiveness and insecurity churn inside me. “What should I do, Lord?! Get it or move on? …And who can do the alterations this fast!” The fog of my fretting is so thick, I can’t discern His guidance.
Then it happened. Four women, whom I’ve never met before, walk past me at different times while I’m staring at the dress and comment to me. Each one encouraged me to get it. Then I said to Cecilia, it needs some alteration, so I probably shouldn’t get it. And a minute later the store tailor standing nearby said, “I could do this for you tonight.”
God wants to amaze us in the ordinary.
The more we recognize His presence in the ordinary, the more we turn to Him.
God indwells us, and wants us to dwell in him.
Through the ordinaries of our day, we practice learning to DWELL IN – to be present to and avail ourselves of His presence.
We can show our children SO MUCH about God’s nearness through the ordinary of our lives – and their own.
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