Coincidence or PROVIDENTIAL Circumstance

Providential: involving divine intervention; occurring at a favorable time; opportune, heaven-sent, fortunate, timely.

Before Mom's Estate Sale, I sent pictures to my children of “Granny’s Home” unlike any way they could conceive – in complete disarray compared to the pristine way it always looked "on her watch". When Mom and Dad’s home was destroyed by a tornado in 1991, my son, a real estate agent here in Tulsa at the time, found them this wonderful home. How PROVIDENTIAL it was to find the perfect home so quickly that is just five minutes from Karen. The close proximity has been such a blessing to Dad's care when he was so ill, and then Mom’s care after that. When I texted Ryan the photos of our sale set-up, he replied “I’ll never forget walking them through that house for the first time.” Precious PROVIDENTIAL moments.

Day 1 of Mom’s Estate Sale overflowed with activity – folks coming in to our “side show”. Karen and I are better known as Lucy and Ethel because we’re giddy and outgoing to all who stop by. We love letting our little lights shine which creates an atmosphere of joy -- along with our praise and worship music playing in the background. Our customers surprised us as they carried out far more than usual on our first day. It was going to be a 3-day sale -- but today it's 50% off. We'll be over and out!

I'm sure you've heard “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure!” Here's a great example. Dad always kept pieces of wood around – just in case he might need a piece for his latest project. To Karen and I, that wood was useless so we placed a $2.00 price tag on the box. A lady, smiling big, brought that box of wood to check out. The junk value to us was $2.00, but to her – priceless. You see – her son is a wood carver – photo here is an example of what he makes out of junk. PROVIDENTIAL!

One of Mom's friends came by before the sale. Her home was burned down in a fire and we were able to bless her with items she could use. Yesterday, Mom said, “Your Daddy (in heaven) is the auctioneer for this sale, so you girls be listening for Him to give you God’s wisdom.” We prayed a lot, and we did sense God's PROVIDENCE that our signs caught people's attention and our newspaper ads, social media and emails were on God's time table. By the end of that first day, we had reached our usual two-day total. Thanks be to God....and Dad!

Mom and Dad gave their lives to serving God and leading many people to Him. Yesterday their lives via inspirational books, keepsakes, Christian art and other cherished items were imparted to others. It was PROVIDENTIAL that God gave Mom such peace and joy to pay all this forward. Last night, we brought her over to the nearly empty home she had lived and loved in for so many years. She was amazed and delighted.

Oftentimes, our best intentions end up with a greater purpose. That's what we've witnessed many times over the years. The greatest part....we can never out-give God. Somehow He always "one ups" us. We needed help to get a heavy table into a lady’s truck. At the same time, a beautiful couple had just checked out, but the wife indicated interest in an artificial tree. I asked if her husband could help this lady load her table and he did. We gave her the tree plus $20 for her husband’s kind heart to help. Her eyes filled with tears. She had heard our "God bless yous" and overall joy. She encountered God at an Estate Sale.

Best. Gift. EVER. We just think we're giving out of the love we have for others. Then, along comes God and shakes us up with a warm embrace that says...."I am loving through you. You are being my hands extended. You are my ambassadors......even at an Estate Sale that you thought was YOUR idea to help Mom sell her stuff. No. It was MY idea to bless people through you." How's that for "giving and it shall be given"? How's that for helping to make God even more famous through our little efforts? How’s that for God showing up again and again in His PROVIDENTIAL ways?