Submitted by Lara Cook
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
I was in big trouble with potentially serious financial consequences on our family. I had lost my Sam's Club credit card. Last time I had used it was in another town when I was visiting my daughter, and I began to imagine all sorts of scenarios such as, had I left it there or had I dropped it in the parking lot? I was frantically looking through every pocket in my purse, every billfold, coin purse, and the big bag of "my life" (the bag that has everything but the kitchen sink in it) that I always take everywhere. It was nowhere to be found. I checked online and no charges had been made on it since I used it last, so I tried to be rational and talk myself down from my frantic attack.
Part of my panic was that we were going out of town in less than a week and we would need that card. We use it for everything - groceries, gas, toiletries, etc. I was going to be in big trouble if it didn't show up. I searched again through everything. The day already had me off balance. I had doctors appointments so I had left work early, a deviation in my norm. After my appointments I went to spend time with my brother who is very sick with cancer. He was having a bad day and seeing him feeling so bad had me upset. So I was emotional, out of my normal schedule and off balance. Primed and ready to fall apart, I was also trying to find an auto part in a store that my husband asked me to pick up, and auto parts are not my specialty. In the midst of all this I had discovered my card was missing, and was frantically searching. Distressed and having exhausted every possibility I finally said God you know where the card is, please help me find it. You are sovereign and know all things so you know where it is. I got back in my car after the second auto parts store and started going through my things again. A little piece of paper flew out of my purse and went sailing down between the center console and the driver's seat. I started to just leave it thinking it wasn't anything important anyway, but I decided I better pick it up because it could be important. I looked down and that little piece of paper had landed directly on the missing Sam's Club credit card that had fallen between the center console and the driver's seat. Just moments earlier I had given it to God and my prayer was answered. That hardly EVER happens.
God, in His amazing understanding and infinite grace, allowed me to feel how much He cares for me in that moment and it was so overwhelming I sobbed tears of gratitude (probably mixed with some tears of exhaustion). When I looked and saw my missing credit card right where the paper had fallen, it felt like He was showing me exactly where it was. I felt like it was a very direct message from Him saying that He hears me when I cry out to Him and He cares about every little thing I pray for. At that moment I needed that little miracle in my life. I needed to see and feel God’s love for me.
That time He answered my prayer almost instantly, but anyone who has ever fallen face down before the Lord knows that His answers almost never come instantly. Most of the time we have to wait - sometimes for a LONG time. There is a purpose for every season of waiting and in the end we usually we learn great lessons and experience growth. But sometimes, every now and then, God knows that we need to see Him come through in big way so that we remember He is there and He hears us, loves us, cares about us, even the (in the grand scheme of things) little things. Look for those little miracles in your life. Don’t miss the heart of God speaking to you so you remember, during the long seasons of waiting, that God is there and He does care.
Scripture to Claim:
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-8.
