by Dennis Crowley, January 20th, 2016
At
8:30 this morning, (Wednesday, January 20th), I decided I had better get to Safeway up the street on Courthouse Plaza, to stock up for the big snow. I don't have that much food in the house, since I have to eat dinner at work because of my schedule.
I threw some clothes in the washer and got in the car and drove up the street. I picked up the basics for survival (sloppy joe mix, breakfast stuff etc), and came home.
I then proceeded to have a quiet time reading the books of Galatians and Ephesians, waiting on the clothes to dry.
I looked for my wallet, and couldn't find it anywhere. I searched the apartment very carefully, as it is a black wallet, and I have a rather dark apartment. Still no wallet. I went outside, looked in the car. nothing.
Panic begins to set in. I have my entire life in this wallet. Not only do I have no way to get to work, but no cash other than what I have in the wallet as well as my ATM,credit cards and drivers license in this wallet.
I go from calm to super stressed. I finally asked Jesus "I really need you help! "
I drive back to the store. I make a quick check of the parking lot to see if I dropped it. Nothing.
I go inside the store, and asked the clerk who rang me out if she has seen a wallet. She speaks very little English and asks the next clerk.
The other clerk says, "We put it in the safe." He asks me, "Is it black? " I said YES!
The assistant manager goes to the retrieves my wallet, and I am SPAZZING out with joy! Thank you I yell, to the entire store. You people are great!
The ride home was a "praise the Lord" time I will never forget.
I would like to share what I believe I learned in that one-long-stressful hour.
1) Christ is made perfect in our weaknesses (Second Corinthians 12:9) says My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. I have never lost my wallet before. I have misplaced it at times but know where it was. I don't know how I left it in the store. But, I had no other choice but to call upon the name of the Lord and asked for help. He came through!
2) It is important to remain calm in the midst of a storm. When Jesus and the disciples were on a boat they were terrified when a storm came (Matt 8 23-27) and (Mark 4 35-41), Jesus was asleep and he calmed the storm. He can do the same thing in our lives when we are "in a storm." Had I not found the wallet, I would not have been able to get to work, and would have had to go to the bank get cash, and cancel all my cards (quite a few), get new ones, as well as a new drivers license. I am totally relieved that I don't have to do this. It would indeed have been "a storm."
3) God sometimes allows us to do "dumb" things to build our character. I don't lose things, especially wallets. But I called upon the name of the Lord (Psalm 50:15), and he answered me clearly. Not only did I find my wallet, but the cash I had in my wallet was intact. Wow! nothing missing! I had to humble myself before the Lord (Micah 6:8), and admit my need for God.
4) When we are in a crisis, this is an opportunity for God to show his power and glory. For God to do this, I had to take the step of faith (2 Corinthians 5:7) and call on him in prayer.
5) Answered prayer in our lives strengthens our faith. Not even the upcoming snowstorm can take away my joy. The folks at Panera Bread noticed how much joy and happiness I had after making my way into Arlington.
6) God can use the victories in our lives as a testimony and witness to others. I shared this story with everyone at the office. I told everyone I know for sure now, that everything in the Bible is true! and that God answers prayer.
7) God wants us to have an attitude of gratitude: In Luke 17, the story of Jesus healing ten lepers is told. Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? Instead of going to work this afternoon stressing out over the snow, I came to work with joy and thankfulness to God.
