... and the small stuff!
I hesitate to tell this story for a couple of reasons. First, it involves something that was lost around the Chestnut house. I know, I know... we just dealt with Denise's lost glasses. I can hear someone thinking, "Wow, they must not be very organized", to which I would reply, "And, your point is...?" The second reason I hesitate to tell this story is, sometimes, I want people to think I am more spiritual than I really am. But I will risk that, so that you might see how God cares about the big stuff AND the small stuff.
I lost my Nordonia Hills Chamber of Commerce name tag. Most of you know I am on the chamber. I had it last week and wore it to another function. I distinctly remember putting into my bag after the event. It would not have been a big deal, but today was the Chamber's membership "Blitz". We were to go out and meet business owners in the community that are not a part of the Chamber and encourage them to take a look at membership. I like this because I like meeting new people and it is always fun to answer their question, "Why is a church a part of the Chamber?" We belong because it helps us to connect with our community and find ways to serve, to give tangible expressions of God's love. So, this was a big day, and I couldn't find my name tag.
I know I had it at home. I remember seeing it in my bag at home. I was careful when wearing it because the clasp for the pin on the back was broken, but it could still work. It must be somewhere in the house. So, the search began last night. I searched every bag I own, three times. Dressers, drawers, counters, under beds... no where. I figured, "Well, I hope the folks from the Chamber office have a "generic" name tag.
So I went to bed last night, a little frustrated. Add to that some other frustrations (O.K., several other frustrtions), and, well, I just woke up in a bad mood. I got my coffee, sat down with my Bible and began my quiet time. As part of my journaling, I ask God to show me a verse or part of a verse for each day. Some days the words jump off the page. Other days, there is a "nudging" towards a verse. Today was a "nudge". My verse for today was Proverbs 23:18...
"Surely there is a future,and your hope will not be cut off."
As I meditated on this verse, I felt God saying, "Son, I know you are a little frustrated right now, but it is going to be all right. I haven't forgot about you." I did not have any overwhelming feelings at that point, but I knew I could take God at His word.
So, I left the house to meet up with the other Chamber members at Chik-Fil-A at 7:15am. When I got there, I could see Laura and Stephanie from the Chamber were already there and setting up (Chick-Fil-A was command central for the "Blitz"). As soon as I walked in and arrived at the table, Stephanie reached down, and picked something up to hand to me, "Here's your name tag". Whuh? I know my name tag was lost at home. "Didn't you tell us you needed a new name tag?" I had told them several weeks ago. What I was holding was not my old, broken name tag, but a new name tag. At that point, I could hear God whispering to my soul, "See, I told you I haven't forgotten you." I about had a spell (A Baptist euphemism for "I was REALLY happy") right there in Chick-Fil-A.
I know God has alot of big stuff going on right now. War, poverty, crime, sin in general, world missions and evangelism, I mean, REALLY important stuff. But it is also good to know, He still cares about the small stuff too.
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