He Shows Up

This Saturday afternoon we made our weekly shopping trip to the large grocery store near our home.  It has a Walmart kind of feel to it–and a warehouse kind of feel to it.  It was insanely busy.  The lines were long and there were tons of people.  When we arrived, they were out of carts.  There were none to be found.   We grabbed a few baskets, but when you have to get some heavy things like milk and cans, we were not looking at a real “fun” shopping experience.  As we started shopping, I heard some rattling and thought, ‘Oh!  They’ve brought some carts up!”  I went all the way to the front of the store and there were indeed some carts, but just as I reached them, the last customer took one.   So, back to shopping by lugging heavy baskets.  It was really not easy and I was out of sorts.  I was starting to sport a headache and my arms were hurting.   People walked by pushing carts with one or two things in them and I just wanted to grumble.  I saw a possibly abandoned cart in the aisle and just was I was considering going for it, someone came along and nabbed it.  I felt so frustrated.  I got into line and started shoving and dragging my stuff inch my inch to the register.   Then, I was stopped short in my griping.  A complete stranger, pushing her produce to the register in front of me turned and said, “Hey, I will share my cart with you.”  I thought she was going to let us use it after she paid and took her stuff out, and I politely declined, “It’s okay.  I have some bags.”    But, after she paid she waited.  She shared her cart with us and she pushed the cart down to the bottom floor where our car was (hers was on a floor above).  She went all the way to our car for us to unload.   In the midst of my grumbling and with my grouchy heart, God whispered, “I see you.”   Even in such a mundane as shopping in a crowded store, He knew just what I needed.   I didn’t know her—she didn’t have to take the time—nothing about me was special or deserving (especially with the terrible attitude I was sporting!!!).     He just stepped in because He cares.  I truly believe it.

I have also been going to Thai church and have been speaking there for three weeks.  I feel that I am so inadequate and am often just stumbling through.  I have said it before and reiterate it,  if they are “getting anything” from what I have to say, it must be because of Him.  Today I shared some observations about Peter walking on the water because I felt like I was supposed to share from that story.  After I was done with my “mumbling” the ladies opened up and shared about how that was exactly what they needed to hear, based on the things they are facing in their lives.  I just feel in awe of Him and how He opens these doors.  Every week I feel tense and concerned about my lack of ability, but here is a situation where I just need to obey and let Him be at work through me.  I totally can’t take any credit for achieving anything, because I am not!   I am so thankful that He has given me this opportunity.

He has provided us several bright and beautiful days which have been such a gift after the terrible haze.  Although the rains haven’t started Indonesia, they have brought some relief here.   We are so thankful!   He DOES show up…