--MORE THAN COINCIDENCE? Mysterious Ways ~~
--I stepped into the furniture and carpet store and breathed in the familiar scent of leather and wood. I found it relaxing. I worked part-time at the post office nearby. I often spent my lunch hour here, browsing.
My husband, our two young children and I were set to move into a home we'd built ourselves. We needed everything from furniture to light fixtures. But we'd put all the money we had into finishing the house. Still, that didn't stop me from dreaming of what could be.
What was really delaying our move was the lack of carpeting. Our floors were cement slabs; with the Ohio winter settling in, they were already icy cold. I'd kept an eye out for sales and discounts, but wall-to-wall carpet remained beyond our budget.
Today brought a new promotion: a raffle. The lucky person would win $1,000 in store credit.
"You should enter," a voice said.
I turned around. It was the store owner. We'd had several conversations, especially after I complimented him on the Christian music he played over the speakers. He was a Pastor, always ready with a kind smile or a touching story about his congregation.
"But I've never bought anything here," I said. Technically I'm not even a customer."
"Anyone can enter, Anita," the store owner said. "Go Ahead!"
I filled out multiple entry forms. They were among hundreds of entries. But it was worth a shot, I supposed. On my way out, I stopped in the doorway and whispered, "Lord, you know my needs. I leave this up to You."
Weeks passed. Then my phone rang. "Congratulations!" boomed a voice. It was the son of the store owner. "We just held the drawing, " he told me, "and you won!"
I couldn't believe it. I'd never won anything that big before!
After giving me details, he paused. "Anita," he said, his tone serious, "you were meant to win this contest."
Well before picking the official winner, the son of the owner told me, he and the store secretary had held a test run. He reached deep into the metal drum of entries and pulled out a slip. My entry form. He tossed it back in and mixed up the papers. The secretary picked next.
"Again, it was yours," he said. "Neither of us was surprised when your name was drawn this morning. Someone knew you needed this."
'Jesus is as close as the mention of His name.' ---GuidePosts//AW~~ --"Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus"/ Casting Crowns//--<
https://youtu.be/76y1_BwoyJ0>
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