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!

20 comments:

  1. Oh I love His economy...and what an encouragement to me to watch for His provisions, and to always have a giving heart...thanks Pastor's wife!! LOL

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  2. A wonderful message from you, Rebecca.
    I'm glad that your purse was found and returned, and I'm happy that you received gifts you didn't anticipate.
    You are Your Father's child.
    Love,
    Jackie

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  3. That is wonderful. I love these kind of stories:)

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  4. Just proves again that you can't out-give God. Great blessing.

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  5. I agree with Sandy...you can't out give God...I think the title of a pastors wife is one of high honor...it never detracts from who you are..it only enhances You!

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  6. God not only Blessed you with a kind-hearted soul that safeguarded your purse, but He also Blessed your generous deed! Good comes to good, and kind returns in kind.
    This reminds me of a guest speaker we had at Mass once, he said that he and God had a little thing going on between them, he said that he told God one day that he was going to try and give to others more than God gave to him. But over the years, no matter how much he gave to others ~ God ALWAYS returned more to him!
    God Bless you, Rebecca! I've missed reading here.
    Love and Prayers,
    Eileen

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  7. Fabulous! This is such a great story; one of the best I've heard in awhile. Truly we cannot outgive the Lord. What a great reminder!

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  8. P.S. I lvoe the new purple, flowered blog "do". So summery!

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  9. This made my eyes misty...as I can so relate! (I'm not a pastor's wife, but I'm known as "Don Lichi's sister" LOL). It is so true that we cannot outgive God. We have repeated those same words so many times over this past year, and have found it really is in giving that He has sustained us. We have tried to live with our hands only loosely holding on to what we "have", and we have been blessed in watching our children learn to do the same. I have a thing that I won't pay more than $2/# for boneless, skinless chicken breasts and try to buy ahead when I see it for that price or sometimes a little less. But I've NEVER seen it for 99 cents/#!!! That is TRULY a blessing! Do you remember the song "Make Me A Blessing" ?? I was thinking about the words the other day...I'm sure that waitress felt really blessed!

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    1. Oh, yeah. I know that song. I sing/pray it often - in fact rather recently. Funny you should mention it.

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  10. It's amazing how things work out that way Rebecca. Something similar happened to me recently. Sometimes , according to my Pastor, I help without knowing it. Without trying. But it's my nature to jump in when I see someone struggling.
    What a great "Thank You" you received today! I dread grocery shopping anymore.
    I'm so glad they still had your purse.
    Love Di ♥

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  11. Hi Rebecca,
    Are you the Pastor's wife? just fooling with ya!! lol
    So happy for you that you got your purse back and all was
    well...........it must have seemed like a long wait to call
    to see where it was............but the Lord was watching
    over it the whole time.

    How true that is that we can never outgive God even if
    we aren't even trying.............I have had things like
    that happen too, and I just love it..........
    He is so good and gracious to us, and is definitely a
    rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

    Glad you had a nice Memorial Day.
    Blessings, Nellie

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  12. Ain't that just like God?!?!? Thanks for sharing your precious story of how He provided a little extra blessing to you for being obedient!!!

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  13. p.s...don't forget to send me a favorite verse so I can make you a little book mark!!!

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  14. What a lovely story! And yes, how like our God to give good gifts to His children!

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  15. Oh, I love this. My dad used to say "you cannot outgive God." And it's true; He's a giver.

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  16. (BIGsmile!)
    I just love you Pastor's wife!
    Now aint that just like our AWESOME GOD!!???????????????????
    He never ceases to amaze me how generous He is.
    You know... reminds me of that dream I told ya about.
    That He blesses us to be a blessing.
    happysigh......

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  17. Dear friend,
    Yes, how like the Father indeed. I so enjoyed this story... as I had been unable to visit many blogs the past weeks. Glad to be reconnected to you.

    Praying all is well with little Silas and her mom!

    By the way, I have just updated my blog. I would love for you to visit some time soon.

    Love
    Lidia

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  18. I just love how God blesses us!
    I also laughed at your last new post about the belt...once I wore my pants all day long with those one of those clear stickers that says what size they are still stuck on the leg.

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  19. Isn't it amazing how easily things happen when we are obedient? You could've hung on to that money and wound up paying so much more, and been miserable the whole time!

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Writing a Song a Week #3

Writing a Song a Week #3
♪ I wait for the Lord; my soul waits and in his word I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning ♪ (Psalm 130:5-6)