Two weeks ago I wrote in my How to Stop Worrying post here about how experiencing God’s personal love is the fastest way to kill anxiety. For many of you this is a totally new concept, and perhaps you thought that my purse story was just a coincidence.
This week I experienced another “coincidence”.
If you know our story, then you know that in 2011 we sold 90% of what we owned with the plan of moving overseas to do non-profit work. During the training we discovered that the organization was not a good fit for us and the plans to go out of the country fell through leaving us with an immediate need for jobs, housing and everything else that goes with life in the U.S.
One of the few “frivolous” items that I had kept was a Thanksgiving salt and pepper shaker set from Publix. We put these little guys out on the table every year as a fun way to remind us of the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday, and they are my favorite part of the holiday (well, other than the pumpkin pie!).
Last year, one of the children accidentally knocked Mr. Pilgrim off the table and he suffered visible damage.
In my heart I knew that it was just a material thing, but the damage to it reminded me of everything that we had lost in the previous couple of years. I honestly cried about it, but I wrapped up the set and stored it away for this year.
I had forgotten about the damage until I opened the wrapping a few weeks ago and I felt that pang of loss and disappointment again. We have experienced several disappointments recently with the theft of my ipad, a broken sliding glass door, and a car accident (in which no one was injured thankfully; I’ll share more soon). A friend encouraged me last week and prayed that God would start restoring some things to us.
So last Saturday, I felt that I should stop by our local thrift store. I looked around for a few minutes, and then I saw this guy sitting all by himself on the shelf.
Again, you may think that it is just a coincidence, but I find it very interesting that I found just the part of the set that I needed, and I only found it after listening to an impression to go to the thrift store when it was not in my plans for the day.
I believe that this incident once again shows God’s personal care for even the smallest details of my life, and if He cares about me that way, He also cares about YOU and the details of YOUR life! Start looking for His little gifts to you.
(UPDATE: Check out this story for an even bigger example of God’s care for the details of our life!)
Ever since I realized that I used to think were coincidences were actually messages or gifts from God, I started calling them “God incidents”. I heard another one lately that I like, too, called “God winks”. It seems to me that God cares about everything in our lives. He wants to walk with us and communicate with us about everything. I don’t think this is selfish to “be on the lookout for His blessings”. I think this is truth about a God who is also our Dad and Father. Thanks for your story.
I call them “God-incidences” — haha! Yes, I believe that God cares about everything in our lives too. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂
I say Amen!! Praise Be To God!! Your testimonies are such an encouragement
Thanks Jane Ann!
I love seeing all the little ways God has sent you those little gifts just when you need them. That’s the Holy Spirit at work!! 🙂 Hopefully more people will be on the lookout for their own unexpected “God-incidents” thanks to reading your post.
Thanks Stephanie! I hope so. 🙂
A friend describes “coincidences” as”small miracles in which God chooses to remain anonymous!!”
Thanks for sharing this story. My hub and I are 30 and he was diagnosed with cancer last year (finally cancer free now!!). I love your blog and it has been a great encouragement to me as a mom, wife and lover of Christ. The salt shaker story is a fabulous example of the sweet times that the Lord reminds us that we are His children and He is a Good father. A Daddy that is concerned about the things his children are concerned with. Thanks again for the post. Be encouraged…Im praying for your fam and for restoration in all these trials lately. Count it all joy…He has a plan in it!
Wow Julia! I am so glad that your husband is cancer free. I cannot imagine going through that trial, but I know that God is faithful. Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement!
Thanks for sharing that story. I love how God works for us. He loves us so much and it sounds like he knew you needed some positive after all the negative going on. Enjoy your Thanksgiving!!
Thanks so much Tammy! I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving as well!
I love this!
God really takes care of us in a personal way!
Sandra
Yes He does Sandra!
Heartwarming story – having an open heart to receive God’s gifts is so important. Enjoy your little pilgrims and thanks for sharing.
Thanks Katie!
What a wonderful testimony! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Melinda!
Amazing, beautiful story! Glory be to God!!!!
Thanks Deborah!
I love this! We often don’t think about the fact that God cares about the things that we think are “little”. I delight in giving my own children little things that I know they will love so how much more must God delight in giving us the desires of our hearts. God is so good and loving. Thanks for the reminder!
That is a great point Christy. The Bible even says that if we being evil know how to give our children good gifts, how much more does our Heavenly Father know how to give good gifts to us. He is good!
What a beautiful word picture God gave you that He indeed had a plan of restoration for you all along for none of this ever caught Him by surprise!!
I look forward to your testimony of how God restores your iPad!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Ronee — that’s one I am looking forward to as well, but He is faithful no matter what. 🙂
Oh how I love my pilgrims too! God will restore everything to you! I pray blessings for your family. By the way my Mrs. Pilgrim is a widow too. My grandson broke the mister. So I’m in search of a new husband for her too!
God Bles
Thank you Lynne. I have seen some sets on ebay although I didn’t pay attention to the prices. I hope she finds a new hubby soon! 🙂
He loves us in such personal ways, doesn’t He? There is such peace in knowing that He knows what we need and when we need it!
Thanks for the encouraging reminder 🙂
You are very welcome Belle!
Love the story! 🙂 Thanks for sharing! Amazing God we have!
Thanks Holly! He is amazing!
What a wonderful evidence of God’s care for us even in the little things! So happy for you to have had this encouragement.
Thanks Cathy!
I LOVE this! I SO needed this today. We are trying to sell our house and my husband is gone already for a job move. Keep trying to tell myself it will happen when it’s meant to.
Glad I could encourage you. Hang in there!
What a wonderful reminder of how giving our Lord is in the ‘small’ things in our life.
He is a generous God!
I love you connect coincidences to God!!!
I like to call them “God-incidences.”. 🙂