God's Encore

Needing to make 35 table centerpieces for an upcoming Ladies event at my church, and desiring to be a good steward of finances, it was decided that a couple of us would be responsible for purchasing the needed material by using discount coupons offered in sale flyers weekly until the desired supply could be obtained.  So, with 40% off coupon in hand, I headed to the cashier.  I was excited to receive my savings.  Along with the receipt of purchase I was given a 50% off coupon effective the following day! Bonus!

I contacted the other gal who would also be shopping to let her know of this offer.  I didn't want her to miss the half-price deal.  I was so excited at the way the Lord was supplying for our needs and honouring our desire to use His money wisely.  She and I sat in my home the previous day praying and asking the Lord to guide all the details.  We asked Him to stretch our budget and help us use His money wisely.  God was answering with these 50% off coupons.  We excitedly praised and thanked Him for His provision.  God is so good!

The following day I returned to the store with my 50% off coupon to purchase another item for the centerpieces.  It was going to take time to accumulate all 35 one coupon at a time, but the savings were worth it.  As I handed in my discount ticket at the check-out counter for 50% off, the cashier looked at me and said, "Oh, I'm sorry I can't use this coupon on this item."

What?  That was the entire point!  If I couldn't receive a discount today, then I would wait and purchase it another time.  This was strange though.  I knew I checked the date on the coupon.  It was redeemable today.  Why couldn't it be used?

Suddenly the cashier responded to my puzzled look, "The item is already on sale so I can't use this coupon."  It was on sale?  There weren't any signs indicating discounts. I immediately looked at the amount displayed on the register screen.  This item that was regularly priced as $19.99 plus tax, was ringing up at $3.99!  Seriously?  Only $3.99?

I quickly contacted the other gal doing the purchasing and it was decided I would buy material for all 35 at this incredible price in case the sale ended or supply diminished.  We were able to buy $174.00 worth of supplies for $36.00...tax included!!!!  WOW!!!

As I shared with my partner in "craft crime" what the Lord had done, I told her I believed He came back for an encore.  He saw our happiness in receiving the 50% off coupon.  He saw our delight in the savings and heard us giving Him all our praise.  He heard our prayer asking Him to help us steward Him finances well.  I imagine Him saying, "Ladies, if you thought that was good, wait until you see what I have planned for you tomorrow!"

The Lord is interested in every detail of our lives.  His Word tells us that when we commit our plans to Him, He will enable them to succeed, and in doing so, He just might give an incredible, unbelievable encore in response to our praise to Him.