A Recent Lesson

Last week I lost a 100$ check.

I know, it's a check so it can be canceled and re-written but still, I lost a 100$ check.

It was from the owner of the coffee shop I work at, The Looney Bean.

She is excited about my decision to go to ministry school and helps with my tuition once a month.

I was freaking out because all my accounting, which I do in my head (good choice right?) was going a-rye.

No supprise there but at the time, I was.

Over the next few days I decided to spend some time looking over numbers.

Old pay stubs, records from Lela (owner of the bean) my accounts with the school at my accounts at the bank. I thought I would find my money in there somewhere. All of a sudden I got 10 times busier with school and work, you know, the things I do.

Over the next few days I was given over 600$ worth of outerwear for snowboarding. Not to mension they came directly from a professional snowboarder and one pair of pants, she quite likely wore in the olympics. She is currently undefeated for 12 gold medals in a row and is the only female snowboarder to successfully  rotate 1080. Basically she is the best female snowboarder alive and she gave me her clothes.

Over the next few days I realized that I really did lose the check.

I really was bummed even though I knew it could be taken care of. I felt irresponsible, and at that, with a gift.

I was very blessed though. I got some extra work and was running errands for Leyla. I went to the bank and deposited our earnings for the business. Walking down the street on the way home I stuck my hand in my pocket to find my ipod and change the song, when I pulled my hand out I found 50$ clutched in my fist.

Astonished for a moment, I thought about it. It was a jacket from my friend, but I checked the pockets when I tried it on, before it was mine. I had made amazing tips at work earlier that week but not like that. Here's what I learned. Having lost a check, which bummed me out, was redeemable.

I not only found 50$ (pretty sure God just put it in my pocket, can't explain it any other way.)

I also made better tips at work than nearly all of last month put together

I got extra work because the manager is out of town, and since I've done it before I could cover her

and I also got to go snowboarding on Saturday for free, when a ticket usually costs 96$

Then I found the check!

When God takes something away, it is almost never permenent. When it is, it's because He has an upgrade for you. In the mean time, He has more of what ever you lost than you need, and He want's to give it to you. The trick is to be thankful for what you see Him give, and He will give more.

Mark 4:25 "Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him"
My understanding is that this verse is more about our attitude than actual posessions. God is not one who takes from the needy, just look at anything Jesus did.  If you believe you have nothing and are thankful for nothing, well you're a pretty typical american but you're also neglecting the gifts He has given. Who wants to give anything to someone when they know they will be thanked with an insult?

A wise Dove chocolate candy wrapper once told me, "The more you rejoice in life, the more there is to rejoice about." Thanks Dove.  

I have another stroy about this whole concept but it is a lot longer. I'll tell you next time I see you.

Love always.