Sometimes we wonder why things happen. We tend to grumble and complain because it is an inconvenience to us. Recently this happened to me. I left my wallet in North Carolina about two hours away from my home. I left it in North Carolina on a Thursday, but it didn't come to light until Saturday night as to where it might be. When I called the restaurant and heard "yes, it is here" we made plans for another trip back to North Carolina the next morning to pick it up. My wallet contained my credit cards, bank cards, Medicare and insurance cards, as well as some gift cards I had been given. I continually kept guarding my heart so as not to complain and I had a peace about the wallet not being misused. I put a freeze on my cards and had ordered a duplicate driver's license but still wondered where my wallet was.
We arrived at 11 AM right when the restaurant opened and found a seat overlooking the river where we could enjoy the view. Not soon after we sat down I noticed a young woman and her boyfriend come in and sit by the river right across from us. I noticed on her legs were scars from what seemed past cut marks and I begin to pray for her and the pain she may be caring.
I ask the Lord, "would you like me to love on this girl"? Soon her boyfriend got up to leave the room, I knew this was my chance to talk to her. I found out her name was Maggie and noticed she was adorned with fun green earrings that look like miniature tennis balls with fur. I complimented her on her earrings and asked what the story was behind them. She graciously began to tell me about her friend who made the earrings for her. I said "honey I can tell you feel things deeply. I am praying that because you feel things deeply you do not hold things inside of you". I hugged her and then said a little prayer over her that God would protect her heart and keep her safe. She hugged me back thanking me for caring! I sat back down, and her boyfriend returned to his seat as we both enjoyed our meals with our friends.
When I was getting ready to leave I went over to her to say goodbye. "Maggie, you know how when things happen in your life you look to see what the real reason is that something has taken place?" She said "yes". Then I told her of my lost wallet last Thursday. "I did not find out until last night where it was. So, we made a trip from Knoxville Tennessee back over to the Hot Springs to pick up my wallet. I was wondering what the real reason is why this happened". I took Maggie's face in my hands and I looked her in the eyes and said: "honey, you are the real reason!" "It's worth trusting God with my wallet and making a second trip just to meet you". With that, she thanked me as I saw God minister to her heart!
What is the real reason things happen? God took care of my wallet and everything was intact! I did all the precautionary steps that wisdom would declare. But all along I had a peace that something was bigger and greater than just a wallet. Even though it was another trip and other expenses to get there it was worth a young woman named Maggie, to lift off the pain and encourage her in her journey.
It also was a work God was doing in me! "Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4 HCSB) Now that's a good reason, Honey!
