And when we least expect it, God brings things into our lives to fuel us, empower us and strengthen us. Sometimes He mixes yesterday with today to give us exactly what we need to step into tomorrow.
Today as I sat amid piles and piles of paperwork, trying to get a list compiled for our insurance company regarding the losses in our recent robbery, I felt discombobulated. Ever felt discombobulated? My stepmother use to say that all the time when she felt totally perplexed and helpless to meet the challenges before her.
It was mind boggling trying to remember when items were purchased that were stolen. It was exhausting rummaging through boxes and drawers trying to find information about my belongings to put on the list. It was frustrating that I couldn't remember the exact model of things I owned and used every single day.
As I pressed forward in my searches, I wondered why the man with whom I set up an appointment for a quote to replace my damaged doors, had not shown up... had not even called to say why. I wondered why another contractor had not called me back. I wondered why the security company I called never returned my call.
Then a lovely Corrie ten Boom quote came to mind, "Every experience God gives you, every person He places in your life, is the perfect preparation for the future, that only He can see."
I can't see the future. I can't know why people fail to do what they say, or the reason for complexities in life. I don't know why a complete stranger would choose my home to pillage and destroy. But God can. And God does. And I take comfort in that.
Not long after that quote came to mind, my doorbell rang. Expecting to see the man with whom I'd made the appointment to fix my doors, I was surprised to discover my pastor standing on my porch. He'd come to encourage me, to pray with me, and also to deliver a love gift from some unknown person. Such a humbling, sweet God-sent surprise.
A little while later, as I rummaged through a box in the garage, I came across a little group of cards my son had sent me years ago. One was sooo funny. He told me how great I was in every way, yet never could throw a "knuckleball". The sweetest one talked about how "as moms we know how to support each other". It was a Mother's Day card from 2004 in which he wrote, "Thank you for helping and showing me how to be a lil' mom in the dad that I am. However things turn out with my time shared with my girls, I owe it all to you. Love you mom, Chadder."
Isn't it amazing, that in the midst of all my aggravation with the robbery, because of the robbery, I found some cards I had tucked away that my son had given me so long ago? and those very cards came forth today to lift my spirits? to give me worth? Indeed, Every experience we have, God will use again and again to move us ever onward to the goal He's set before us.