A Christmas Miracle!

A few weeks ago, my well-worn purse refused to close. It was time to get a new one! I searched my bottom drawer for an old purse I could use for now and was pleased to find a smart black and brown wallet I'd forgotten about. I reasoned though that I could still do with a new one. My beloved had given me a generous cash gift on my birthday – I was excited to splash a little of it on myself! And so it was, that on my next trip to the shops, I went to my favourite bag shop and bought myself a beautiful black and cream purse that I had liked on the spot!

Back home, as I put my cash inside it, I thought it was a perfect buy! But ... as I tried to insert my cards into it, many of the slots were too small! It was not a perfect purse after all! I returned it to the shop as soon as I could and got my money back, deciding that the old one would do after all. And that was that! Or … so I thought. Until …a few days later, I searched for a 20 dollar note. Only … there were no 20 dollar notes in my purse. Oh? How come? I knew I had some. It was then, that like the sun's rays reaching into a dark room, light dawned! The new purse had had two areas to store cash – I'd placed the twenties in one and the tens in the other. I must have forgotten to pull out the twenties before I returned it. Oh dear!

I tried calling the shop, but had no answer. The next day was extremely hot. I knew both pain and fatigue would flare badly if I went out in the heat, so it wasn't until three whole days since I returned the purse, that I was able to get back to the shops! Of course I knew it was extremely unlikely that I'd find my money – with Black Friday sales on, there would have been numerous shoppers and one lucky customer could have walked out, with not just a new purse but with some cash inside as well. Oh well! I prayed, and asked God to help me recover my money.

When I entered the shop, I found a young man was in charge – not the ladies who usually manage it. Having him rather than them was fortunate, I thought – they might have brushed me aside! The young lad looked rather surprised – but asked me to go ahead and check the purses. I could see by his expression that he didn't believe I'd find my money. I looked inside a number of them and no, there was no sign of it. Oh well, at least I tried. But wait … there were a few more purses behind the others. I looked again, opening them one by one.

I opened yet another purse and peered in hopefully. And voila … I was not disappointed. There sat my 40 dollars in two 20 dollar notes. Hooray! The young man's eye brows were raised in surprise when I showed them to him! My hubby sent me a celebratory text when I told him the good news and his elated wife enjoyed a celebratory prawn and avocado sushi, as I thanked God for the success of my venture! A sweet triumph! My Christmas miracle! And here's what I learnt from my little adventure!

1. God has a way of surprising me with blessings that I do not deserve!
2. It's always worth reaching for the unlikely! I just might get what I hope for!
3. God sometimes delays circumstances to get the timing right. Do not baulk at God's delays.
4. Perfection does not exist in this world! But it's still a beautiful world!
5. Making mistakes is part of life. It's an opportunity to discover afresh God's grace and mercy.

1. Sometimes old things are better than new ones.
2. I can always do with less than I think I need.
3. Grace abounds. Every. Single. Day. Look to the Grace-giver! He will not disappoint!
4. Christmas joys are waiting for me. Look for them. Step out to do what I need to do.
5. Life with God is filled with unexpected blessings. Enjoy my walk with Him!

How are you, dear one? And how has your year been? Sadly there is a lot of pain in our world today. But I trust your year contained at least a few joy-filled moments and many precious blessings. My prayer for you this Christmas, is that you experience the love of Jesus in unexpected ways. That the Christ child will enter your heart by faith. That hope will sing sweet songs inside your heart. That the message of Christmas will be like a candle that shines bright all through the New Year. That God will fill you with a peace that surpasses understanding! 

Let's tiptoe together to the Manger. And worship Christ, the new born King.

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. 

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Christ, the Lord." Luke 2:10-11