Yesterday was such a strange day. Arriving back home exhausted from the activities of three young grandchildren and yet refreshed with fun times and memories of our multi-family vacation, Monday was a day of erranding, putting back in order, while getting ready to jump back in to everyday life. Much of my morning was spent on the mundane—bookwork, emails, and paying bills—but it was when I took off to do my errands that the odd twists and turns began to take place.
First, I had to get a prescription filled that I had forgotten to call in. Driving up to one of two drop boxes at the pharmacy, I pushed the call button to ask if it would be alright to send the empty container which clearly showed five more refills available, through the vacuum tube. I would pick it up later.
Worse than any drive up window that you see in those hilarious scenes from movies or commercials, where it seems like the person’s garbled speech on the other end makes them related to Charlie Brown’s mother from the Peanuts comic strip, all I could make out was a mere whisper. Watching two other cars who were ahead of me go through in the other lane and then a third who had pulled up after me go also, I thought I could hear, “I’ll be with you in a minute.”
Having already sent the bottle through the vacuum tube, I replied I would pull into the other lane next to the pharmacy window. To my astonishment, I got there only to hear that same, now slightly irritating whisper, “Give me a minute. I’ll be right with you.”
Deciding that perhaps I would need to speak with a manager, in the next few seconds a young man appeared, grinning and relaying in a foreign accent I did not know, “Here is your prescription. I filled it for you already.” Totally disarmed, my pistols of complaint now holstered, all I could do was to shake my head in amazement and say thank you.
My next stop was Lowes. Purchasing a 360 degree lawn mower on what we thought was a twelve month interest free payment plan, what I found when opening the statement was that 5% had been taken off the purchase price instead. Knowing we had gotten the green light for the other, I knew I had to go the store in person to see if this matter could be straightened out.
Working with several of the sweetest people I have ever met, manager included, a long forty-five minutes later, I walked out of the store with the twelve month plan PLUS 5% off the price. I didn’t ask for that. They just gave it to me. Thankful for their kindness, smiling and somewhat stunned, I began to think, Wow, Lord, this is really different, but cool.
On to my last errand to pick up Sonic for dinner. Having only seven dollars and some change in my pocket, I carefully placed my order so as to stay within those limits. As the order appeared on the screen, once again, to my surprise, the bacon, egg, and cheese toaster was two dollars less than what was on the menu. I was able to pay, tip, and drive off with over a dollar left jingling away.
What a blessing of a day. But it wasn’t the blessings I would have looked for.
With what’s been happening together and separately in Jerry’s and my life, and with the possibility of what could be looming over our hopes for our retreat venue, I’ve been asking the Lord for mercy. What I have realized though, in asking that, what I really want from Him is to take the pain away. The pain of loss. The pain of uncertainty. The pain of letting go of a dream.
But over the past few weeks, surrounded by the prayers of friends and family, Jerry and I both have begun to see that God is indeed being merciful. It may just look different from the way we thought it would.
We don’t know the outcome of the sale of our neighbor’s land. We’re still on hold. We don’t know if it will change the landscape of our plans. What we have come to though, is that whatever happens will be just fine.
Just like the gift of not having to return to the pharmacy to pick up the prescription.
Just like the unexpected boon of 5% off in addition to the twelve month interest free plan at Lowes.
Just like the two dollar discount at Sonic.
From our limited human perspectives, a bump in the road can feel like a hiccup to our plans. From God’s view, it’s truly a blessing in disguise.
That’s why we can hop on board with the verse that says, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” -1 Thessalonians 5:18
Many blessings,
Kimberly
Good one!
Hi Kim,
I enjoy your Dash of Strange soooo much! Thank you for writing and sharing. You are a blessing!
In His Love,
Kathy Lemire