It was last week.
My husband needed me to meet him, in a town nearby, with some items, he was heading out on a short work trip.
It made sense for me to swing by the store while I was there.
As I rounded aisles in search of things my attention kept going to my purse.
It was a second hand one I purchased four or five years ago, I can't recall.
Frustrated with the thing sliding down my arm every few minutes, I tried ignoring it.
But it wouldn't be ignored.
While bending down, to grab an item on the bottom shelf, it swung off my shoulder and nearly hit me in the face.
Embarrassing!
I grabbed at it and one finger went clean through the bottom.
My frustration evaporated.
"Thank You, Lord, for showing me this!"
My gratitude overflowed.
Not only does my purse carry a variety of important things, it holds both my inhalers and my other prescription.
My wallet is bulky and probably wouldn't drop out, but my medication could.
"Well, it's time for a different purse, but I'm not going to buy a new one, I'll get a second hand one," I thought.
The place I was currently shopping doesn't carry purses.
There are three second hand stores not far from where I was.
It made sense to shop at one of those rather than drive another twenty minutes farther into our nearest city and shop at a department store.
My husband would be meeting me soon, down the road.
I paid for my purchases, carefully holding my purse, and left.
As I drove I started praying, "Which Second Hand store should I go to?"
Silence.
Not even an inkling was coming to mind only my own words:
"I'm not going to buy a new purse, I'll get a second hand one!"
"Why the attitude? What's my problem?" I asked the Lord.
A snob.
Conviction filled my soul.
That was it, I was being a snob.
All my excuses for shopping at the second hand store was really pride.
Somewhere, inside my heart, I'd started thinking better of myself because "I buy second hand" as if that was a great virtue.
Don't get me wrong, being wise with one's purchases is honorable before God.
But it is the heart's motivation that is what is honorable, and the Lord had clearly shown me my motivation was not honoring Him.
Admitting my wrong, I sought His forgiveness, and asked where He wanted me to buy a purse.
Sunrise Thrift Store
Smiling, I drove up, went in, and prayerfully considered the purses for sale.
After a little while, I found the one I felt was it and looked at a few other things, praying my heart would honor the Lord.
It was getting close to the time to meet my husband and I began to head toward the check out, when I just felt I should swing past the dishes.
Here is an area of weakness for me.
I love dishes, and have far more than we can possibly use in a day, so I felt a little nervous.
"Lord, what am I looking for?"
I didn't want to be greedy and just buy something cute that caught my eye.
I scanned the items and continued to seek God's leading.
Nothing seemed to stand out and I'd decided it was my own desire which led me over here and not the Lord.
Then, I saw the mugs.
Four chunky large white mugs, exactly what I have been wanting for our cup rack next to the coffee maker.
I'd nearly purchase these identical mugs a few years ago for my husband to have a "man's sized cup", but couldn't get peace with it.
Earlier in the week I'd had a passing thought, "Large white mugs near the coffee maker would be nice".
And here they were.
God's grace is astounding.
Not only did He show me the hole in my purse, before I lost something, He corrected my attitude, and then blessed me abundantly.
It was a terrarium moment.
Like looking on the whole of my relationship with God through a miniature under glass.
In a few minutes, God reminded me of how He has saved me from terrible loss, separation from Him for eternity, after accepting His forgiveness He has been polishing my character, and He continues to pour His blessings into my life, which I don't deserve and could never earn, and thus I give glory to God.
1 Corinthians 1:29-31 KJV
[29] that no flesh should glory in his presence. [30] But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: [31] that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
It's another beautiful moment in my walk with Christ.
And more memorials around me to testify of God's faithfulness and love.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for not only showing me myself, but preserving me from loss. Thank You for convicting me of my pride and forgiving me. Thank You for showing me a better way. Lord Jesus, all these material things are temporary and of little value, but I thank You for blessing me through them, for providing them. Lord Jesus, please continue to help me be diligent to seek You, gentle in actions and attitudes, loving at all times and learning meekness. Lord, there are so many people in this world who are suffering greatly and my heart breaks over their desperation. Lord, please show me where I can be generous, how to use these things You have given me to steward in a way that's honoring You. Lord, teach me to be aware of the need around me and to be open-handed. Lord, please help me to use the things You have placed in our lives to be a blessing to others. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
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