All things are possible with God. Mark 10:27b
It surprised me how often I regretted leaving the yellow shopping bag of disposable placemats on a bench in the Atlanta Airport Rental Car Center.
I remember the forgotten bag the moment my preacher man and I walk into the airport terminal, two train stops away. By then, time is short. We can’t go back or we will miss our flight home to Oklahoma.
I was thinking ahead when I purchased the placemats at a cute shop in Macon GA earlier in the day. They were for a party we planned to host in two months. I’d made my party planning list, and I was marking it off. This purchase was supposed to be one and done.
And then I left them.
Instead of reading my book on the plane home, regrets busy my mind. I rehearse reasons why this minor glitch should not upset me.
- They are only paper (although elegant paper).
- I’m scheduled to return to Macon before the party.
- I can purchase them again.
- Why am I hung up on paper placemats?
- I didn’t get this upset when I left behind two dresser drawers of clothes in a hotel, at a seaside town in Italy.
Several times over the next few weeks, I sense the urge to pray about those abandoned placemats.
And then I analyze. It’s a random package left on a bench in one of the largest airports in the world. Nothing identifies it as mine. I live 1,000 miles away…
On and on I go, lassoing faith into a circle of doubt.
The only words I say aloud, “Lord, this is so complicated!”
One month later
My preacher man and I attend an event in North Carolina. My sister and her husband, who also live in Oklahoma, are there too.
She asks me where we’re going next, and I tell her.
“We’re going to DC to celebrate Thanksgiving with our children. And then, we’re going to Macon GA because I bought these placemats…”
I’m about to spill the sad story when she interrupts me with an astonishing announcement.
“Your placemats are in my car!”
“My placemats? The ones I left on a bench in the Atlanta airport?”
“How is that possible?”
A woman working at one of the rental car desks next to the bench where I left the package, decides to check on it. She usually calls security for abandoned bags, but since it was there all day, she picks it up.
The store name and phone number are on the receipt. She calls the shop and asks them if they remember who bought the placemats at their store earlier in the day.
The shop owner confuses me with my sister, Susan. So, she calls Susan, who’s traveling in Romania, and leaves a message.
“A woman located the placemats you left in the rental car center in Atlanta. I have her contact information so you can arrange to pick them up next time you fly through Atlanta.”
Susan wonders. What placemats? I don’t remember buying placemats.
She arranges to pick them up anyway, since everyone insists they belong to her.
Now, they are in her car, right there in North Carolina.
Exactly as God planned it.
All at once, I remember what I said to God, “Lord, this is so complicated!”
And in my spirit I hear Him reply.
“Is anything too hard for Me?”
Lest you think this story is only about paper placemats, let me assure you. God’s question penetrated into big, deep down dreams in my heart still awaiting fulfillment.
God asks Sarah the same question at a time when she doubts God will give her the child of her dreams (Genesis 18:14). He asks Jeremiah that exact question when he struggles over the destiny of Israel (Jeremiah 32:27).
And I wonder, if maybe today, He’s asking you too.
Is anything too hard or too wonderful for the Lord? Genesis 18:14a AMP
I’d love to hear what God is saying to you.
Becky, I love your story! Your words always inspire me and increase my faith in new ways. Truly, nothing is impossible with God!
Love and blessings!
He surprised me with this special gift of love. The placemats were not so important, but my faith needed encouragement. I’m glad this story encouraged you, too. Love you!
Love this story, Becky! We all need to be reminded that nothing is too small or insignficant for God.
Thank you so much, Janese. God was so gracious to me. I love how He speaks layers of understanding. Love and blessings!
A prayer thought can make a difference! Great story,Becky.
Thank you, Frances. God is so gracious to us. Love and blessings.
Love this! Just this week I was praying about having lost my focus with my diet. I had really done best with it when I did the Weigh Down approach to losing weight by focusing on God, instead of food. I prayed Lord I really need to connect with this group of people again , even though they never do seminars around here. I found their Facebook page and rejoined it. Wednesday I got an email that they are going to be in Atlanta next weekend at the Westin Peachtree for an encouraging seminar, where I’m going to be for my Dental Hygiene convention. Only GOD!
Thank you, Melody. Isn’t it amazing what He does? You’re right. Only God!
Loved your story…God is so personal and very much involved in the details of our lives. “Surely God is good!” Ps73:1 Thank you, Becky for sharing! 😊
Thank you, Lydia. God loves to surprise us. Thank you for commenting. You are so encouraging. Love to you~
Loved this encouraging story! I often forget this truth, but what a great reminder that nothing is impossible for Him!
Thank you, Carol. He’s a good good Father. How wonderful when He chooses to remind us with something only He can orchestrate. Much love~
Rebecca,
As always, your thoughts come along just in time. The answer is God always always has time for us, no matter how trivial. Thank you so much for sharing and keep up your great work!
Thank you, Dan. Always good to hear from you. How wonderful that God is concerned with the big and little details of our lives. Blessings to you and MaryBeth.
Awesome story Becky. Thank you for sharing. God knows I needed this.
Jennie, I’m so glad God touched you with this story. And I’m so glad our paths crossed last year! Hugs to you.
This is beautiful, it shows how God takes care of us in ways we simply can’t describe or image at times. He is just amazing!. He surprises us in ways that all we can do is smile, cry or look up to the heavens and say… Thank you!! Because your eyes are always on me.. Thanks for sharing Becky.
I’ve just suscribe to your blog.
Love you!!
Dear Raquel, Thank you, lovely friend. I appreciate your taking the time to comment and especially to subscribe to my blog. You are a source of beauty and encouragement in my life. Love you.
Thank you Becky for these words. It’s a profound truth. Only our God can do the impossible! I’m overwhelmed at how He’s into the details of our lives. You are such a blessing to me.
Tamara, thank you, sweet friend, for taking time to comment. He’s a good, good Father! He overwhelms me with His personal concern for what concerns us. Sending my love and blessings to you and Greg.
Loved the story! Isn’t is amazing how we can be robbed of our peace by the small distractions from time to time? Thank you, Becky, for the reminder that God is never too busy to intervene for us and that nothing is impossible with Him. He really is a good good Father.
Thank you, Linda. I appreciate your taking the time to comment. This entire little episode was a wonderful surprise gift from the Lord. Sending love your way!
Great story.
God is working in every area of our lives. Nothing happens by accident.
God is so good. Love to hear his children brag on Him.
He did something special for someone special to Him.
Thank you for your faithfulness.
God is using you and your husband to speak into the lives of others.
Thank you so much!!
Hi, Tony. Lou and I enjoyed meeting you and Oak this week. I’m so glad you discovered the G6 opportunity and followed through. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this story. It was indeed a special God experience for me. Blessings!