How Like the Father!

Monday we had a mid-afternoon dinner at our local cafe.  I needed a box to take home half of my order.  I left the restaurant with my hands full --  the box and a couple of "free" magazines that were at the door.  Unfortunately, I left without my purse!

I didn't realize it until much later. The restaurant had closed early, so I had to wait until the next morning to call.  The gal who answered the phone said, "Oh, are you the pastor's wife?...Yes, we have your purse."  Those words reminded me that some people think of me that way.  I AM "the pastor's wife", but actually feel more like "just me".

On my way to retrieve the purse, I mentally pictured a $5 bill in my billfold.  Those of you who know me know that I'm quite "tight" with my money.  But I thought it appropriate, since I represent Jesus (and the pastor), that I be generous enough to part with $5 in appreciation of the person who found and safeguarded my purse.

At first, she refused the money, but I persuaded her to take it.  I went on my way to the small grocery store in a nearby town.  I was going to pick up bananas which are always cheaper there than in the bigger store in the bigger town.  At the end of the produce aisle is the meat department. I sauntered by.   There I found a family-size package of ground chuck reduced to  $.99 a pound!  And further down--fresh chicken breast priced the same!  They even were stamped "sell by May 30" - which was the next day!  I quickly calculated that it was a savings of at least DOUBLE what I'd given away just a few minutes earlier and carried them with the bananas to the check out lane...

 thinking, "How like the Father!"

 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."  (Luke 6:38)

I had no thought of getting back when I handed the waitress the $5,

but the Kingdom principle was at work anyway!

Wow!