As we got ready to leave for our trip to Virginia to see Nat and Abby for Christmas, Barbara was dragging her feet and after numerous attempts to get her out to the van, I got impatient (actually pretty rare in our relationship), and escorted her out.
In spite her delays, we did get off in good time, but when we arrived at our first stop in NJ, I discovered that I’d left my computer bag at home. It had not only my computer, but all my medications, phone charger and other things I used on a daily basis—it was the most important piece of luggage!
Well, this was a chance to forgive myself and offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, to honor God and open the way for Him to show me His salvation in this difficulty. And He immediately began to do that. The friend we were visiting suggested we contact the local Walmart pharmacy to see if they could contact our Walmart in CT and give me some “fill in” prescriptions—and that worked out, except for my coumadin, which didn’t have any refills.
The other somewhat distressing aspect was that I could no longer post my daily devotions, as everything was on my computer. Nor could I check my email. This was another opportunity to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving. And God turned this, too, into a blessing, as I was forced to take a “digital vacation,” allowing me to really relax and not have to scramble each day to post while visiting people.
I think it is interesting that my sin (impatience, pushiness, selfishness) was the reason I forgot my bag, but the Lord turned this into good and gave us a better time than I’d planned. It also was a warning to not let my selfishness rise up and direct my decisions. The Lord is good and wise and very creative in His ability to use our sin to bless us!
