Just Kidding

Something kind of unbelievable just happened.  However, first off before I share this little story, please understand that I was just joking around.  I wasn't serious and I know for certain that God didn't take me too seriously either, or did He?

A few days ago I lost part of an earring.  It was a little blue glass bead about half the size of a pea.  These were not expensive earrings, in fact, to be honest, I rarely wore them.  They were pretty and dainty though, and I did really like them.  We had gone to church that morning and had just come home from having lunch with friends.  We were relaxing on the sofa, and as usual, I was playing with my hair--when I noticed the missing earring piece.  I was so sad because I just knew I'd never find it.  I had been at church, in a restaurant, at a large department store, in my car (which is a convertible) and all over my house.  Did I mention that my house has carpet?  No, I had no hope of ever finding that little tiny piece to my earring, ever.  I looked everywhere but could not find it.

The next morning while spending some time praying, I jokingly said--you know God if you found that little earring for me, I'd know that my husband was supposed to go back to Congo.  I laughed--really I did.  I was not serious at all.  Or was I?  Oh, the Congo thing was real enough.  You see, my husband had been praying about returning.  Yes, I just said returning to Congo!

And me?  Well, I was praying too.  Praying that he did not go back--not so soon anyway.  It is very dangerous over there, and he wouldn't be going with the same church group.  This time it was pure water and electrical stuff.  Instead of missional, it would be mechanical.  Instead of having the backing and protection of our church, it would be backed and funded by a different group.  And honestly, it scared me a little (ok, a lot.)  So, he asked me to pray with him--and I did.  I prayed that he wouldn't go.
No, I didn't, I prayed and asked God to give him a clear word of direction--to go or stay.  Secretly though--I didn't want him going back so soon. He had only been home a couple of months.  And hadn't I just wiped the sweat from my brow and hadn't I just swallowed a huge sigh of relief upon his return?  The thought of him going back so soon was a little too much for me.  Hey, I'm just being real here!

Thus, the earring incident.  If you help me find that tiny little earring piece Lord, then I'll know it's your will that he go back.  Clever.  Until I found it.  Yes, I found the stupid little earring, laying at my feet as I was sitting on the sofa watching TV a couple of nights later, hand draped over petting my dog.  I looked down and saw something shiny--as soon as I saw it, I knew what it was.  My heart stopped for a minute.  I reached down to pick it up and yep, it was my earring all righty.  I sat there rather dumbfounded.  Well, Lord, I said--I guess he's going to Congo.  And that's when I heard it.  Deep down in my heart, I heard it--a chuckle.  He spoke so clearly to me right then--you are the one who started this silly game, and I don't play games, remember?  
I knew then that if God wanted my husband back in Congo--He would send him there.  And He would not have to use an earring to convince me.

I am so thankful that God is patient with me.  That He uses silly little things to teach me great big life lessons.  I'm thankful that He has given my husband a heart for the people of Congo.  And yes, I'm thankful that one day, he'll be going back.  Probably a lot sooner that I even realize.  When he does return to Congo, God will have His hand of protection on him, God will always be able to find him--even amongst the restaurants, the convertibles, and the carpeting--because He sees everything.  He knows exactly, at all times, just where everything and everybody are located.  If He can find a little earring, He can find my husband.  He can and will protect him.

And guess what?  I don't think I was just kidding at all.  I think that somewhere deep down there was some truth to my joking.  God saw through my fears though.  He met me right where I was and He used my little lost earring as a lesson.  He's always been like that with me.  Teaching me, loving me, and protecting my heart.  And I'm not kidding about that.