The Red Couch Lesson

 

 Week of March 24

Dean and I were trying to wait to buy a nice couch set once I got a full-time job. The living room consisted of a huge pile of blankets and pillows on the floor. Since I was working from home and had to deal with no comfy place to sit all day, I talked Dean into considering second-hand couches on Craigslist that we could get right away. Our budget was $50, but I saw a red couch in great shape online for $75.

 

My husband agreed to go out with me to see it. Unfortunately, it had rained that day and the folks selling it had stored it outside under a ripped plastic tarp and it was pretty wet. Dean also noticed a stale smell.

 

I wanted a couch so badly though, that I was willing to overlook the smell and dampness... I thought we could just wash it! Dean was set  against it and I was really disappointed. We had an argument in which he said he thought God had something better in store for us. I told him that I thought he had just missed what God had for us and proceeded to walk off!

 Later that night, we both apologized and decided to go out to  Goodwill stores the next day.

 In the morning our cat, Billow, accidentally scratched my eyelid (ouch!), so I was wearing a pirate eye patch and we didn't head out until the afternoon. Two Goodwill's later, It was ten minutes to 5 p.m., and a Goodwill employee told us to check out the Salvation Army around the corner. Sure enough... a red, dry and nice-smelling couch in great condition was on sale for $50. The store was closing in 10 minutes and we agreed right away that it was the one! Everyone at the store was being very nice to me too, perhaps because of the eye patch. After a few minutes, a friend was able to drive over in her pick-up truck and help us get it home.

 Lessons I learned: Be patient. Don't grasp so tightly to material things that I blow up at my husband (and look like a fool)! Trust God. I think He actually does care about the little things in my life too.

 

Jessica  Mcleod
Greensboro, South Carolina

Some Prayers take time

Week of March 17

A small group were meeting in a Sarasota, Florida home and were praying about starting a church.One person said they were envisioning a church being like Willow Creek, a large nondenominational church in West Barrington Il.

At this point the hostess opened her purse and pulled out a tattered newspaper clipping about Willow Creek. She said, "I've been praying for a church like that to be started here." She had kept that clipping for 12 years.

"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray,believe that you will receive them and you will have them." (Mark 11:24)

R.M.Salter
Sarasota, Fl.

Basketball Blessing

Week of March 10

 

March Madness is upon us and I am reminded of the closing minute of a youth basketballgame. May youngest son, age 10 then, was on that team and I was the coach, I realized that the lone girl of that team was the only player that hadn't scored at least one basket all season. This was our last game.

I called a timeout and told the boys to get the ball to Missey and I told her to stand near the basket. I can't say I said a little prayer, but God knows the desires of our heart.

On their last next trip down the floor the boys passed the ball to Missey and she threw it up and it hit under the rim and bounced right back to her. She pushed it up again and this time it went in. Game over. High fives all around.

An excited Missey rushed over to her coach. As we hugged I had no idea that I was embracing the future mother of three of my grandchildren.

 

Mal Salter

Wethersfield Ct.

Grandmother's Advice

Week of March 3

 

My grandmother gave me a Bible when I went off to college. She said “read it when you feel down or need a lift.” I thanked her politely and frankly went on with my life.

 

Many years later, after a marriage, several children and many job changes I found myself in a bad place. I was really down, lacking direction in my life and bordering on serious depression. 

 

While rummaging in a closet  I moved a towel and there was the Bible my grandmother had given me. I felt the hairs standup on the back of my neck.

 

I took the advice of that gentle lady and I began reading the Bible. A few days later I told my parents about finding the Bible and what grandmother had said when she gave it to me.

 

“What day did this happen?” my mother asked. After I told her my mother had this curious smile on her face. “That is the anniversary of when your grandmother died.”

 

 I can say the advice my grandmother gave me did a lot more than give me a lift; it has changed my life.

 

Jim Cooper

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida