Two days ago I learned two things about God; #1 he has a really good sense of humor, #2 he doesn't work within our parameters.
We are moving. Have a mentioned this? My husband has been working two jobs and an opportunity has come up where he will only have to work one job and have 40 days less travel (yes, we counted). Moving involves a lot. Change of address, selling a home, packing, unpacking, and in my mind it all starts with an all important cardboard box. I know of these wonderful companies that provide boxes for you when you use their company to move you, and even stores that sell boxes, but, what fun would that be? And so for the last few weeks we have been on the hunt for cardboard boxes. In grocery stores, at the YMCA, through friends, any box right now is a jewel to me. Two days ago we hit a wall and have a lot more packing to do, but had run out of boxes. As we got into the car for an afternoon errand, I said to my oldest daughter, let's say a prayer that God will send us a box, even just one box, so that we can get some more packing done. Upon driving down a quaint little road I saw in the back of the parking lot (being honest, near the dumpster) of a locally owned hardware store a box (it almost seemed to glow), but then again that might have just been my excitement over answered prayer!
We pulled around to the back of the parking lot and I jumped out of our SUV and picked up the box, it was a real beauty and I had big plans for that box. I opened the back of our SUV and at that point I knew I was in the midst of an everyday miracle. The box that was divinely sent to us was so enormous it in no way fit into the back of our full size SUV.
I smiled immediately and knew that God was smiling too. I knew exactly what he was trying to communicate to me. When we pray we have exactly in mind what we need, down to the exact measurements. God wants to bless us and provide for us in ways that will never even fit into our small minded lives, in ways we cannot perceive if we just trust him and let him do the measuring. Yes, He does have a good sense of humor, but more than that He is a teacher and I think He saw a teachable moment and teachable moments can even happen by a dumpster in a parking lot.
The last five months in our home have been a bit of a rocky road. During what I consider "rough times" I usually think to myself, at least it isn't this, or that
,
but unfortunately during these last few months it has seemed to be one or more of one of those things that you mostly conjure up in your mind to make yourself realize things could be all that much worse. Between my dad's scare with his heart, my niece's birth complications, and my father-in-law's fall, as my one friend said, "what is going on with you guys??" I really can't explain it. And, through it all I have, at times, been walking like an 80 year-old woman due to a "severe L5 herniation" (so severe that during my first attempt at an epidural shot the nurse asked if I had been in a car accident). I really can't pinpoint a specific time I hurt my back, but since last winter it has gotten progressively worse and after two epidural shots my doctor felt that I needed back surgery, but because of caring for two young children as my full-time job, and having a husband working two jobs, that is easier said than done. Recently hubby and I decided to meet with my doctor to talk seriously about my back surgery, and were set for an appointment next Wednesday. Honestly though with every other topic floating around our house, I handed this one to the man upstairs because there were just more important things to deal with.
So, I was so surprised when my physician's assistant called me yesterday to say that my doctor has other doctor's coming to watch him at his job next Friday and had chosen me to be his example for the surgery if I was interested. It was such a feeling of someone else taking care of things and making a decision for a moment and felt so nice falling into my lap, and, it felt so good to get some really good news. Just since yesterday more has fallen into place concerning the surgery. My husband will have time off and our insurance with cover the surgery 100%. Amazing how God has billions of other tasks but obviously knew it was time for my surgery and lined everything up just as it should be.
Today came with potentially more good news (hallelujah, I'm feeling some much needed blessings falling down on our family), as my father-in-law is doing better with his walker and instead of looking at the option of transferring from his rehabilitation center to a nursery home, he is looking at possibly going home in a week with in home care.
I don't want to come across that I don't feel blessed daily, or that grace doesn't touch me daily, because it does, but (as we all are) I have also been feeling tried lately and at times like these there isn't a better feeling than answered prayer and getting to see even a glimpse of how God works behind the scene every second for plans of good.
Two days ago I learned two things about God; #1 he has a really good sense of humor, #2 he doesn't work within our parameters. 
