For weeks we have had it in mind to go to the farmer's market that's only open on Saturdays and Wednesdays until noon. The until noon part was the biggest hindrance, as we mostly we find ourselves transfixed by children's television or talking until about 11:30 on Saturday or Wednesday and by then it is always too late. Or we'd be all ready to leave the house at 10:30 and then remember it was Monday. But today was different. My friend was motivated to leave the house at 11:10 and so I stayed home with the baby. She returned at 12:10 with only one small bag. I was disappointed- we were excited to clean the farmer's market out, so I was confused at the sight of only one bag.
"I went to the market and then to Kroger. My wallet was stolen from my cart when I was at Kroger." my friend said when I asked about the sole bag. My first reaction was, "What?! This is Quaint Small Town... these things don't happen!" Apparently everyone at Kroger was shocked too.
Once my friend came home and called the non-emergency police line we decided to pray for the person who stole the purse. We forgave and blessed them, and asked for them to be so convicted (my friend actually had her Bible IN the purse, along with these Scripture cards in the wallet), that they'd return the purse and everything in it. We prayed that if the person was so desperate before Christmas to steal a purse that they would know the love and freedom of Christ.
This was such a big event in Quaint Small Town that THREE policemen came to the house! But right before they arrived my friend called the store to tell them she'd be coming with the police to file the report and they informed her that the entire purse had been found- and nothing was removed from it! Not even her credit card. She only had $1 in cash and a money order, and not even those were taken!
That was a quick answer to prayer.
So although my friend was never able to purchase the cart full of cookie makings and Christmas dinner makings that she came for in order to prepare for Christmas, as well as much-needed diapers, her beloved Bible was returned, along with everything she needs like her driver's license.
Before we learned that it was all found we also stopped to praise God. For the enemy to take such a cheap shot we figured God must have some pretty amazing things in store. And we both realized, as did the Grinch, that you can't steal Christmas.
And I finally realized what Christmas is about. Only Jesus could enable my friend and I to forgive and bless the person who stole from her. And we really meant it. And we prayed that we wouldn't even need to file a report because it would all be returned- and that's exactly what happened.
So thank you Jesus.
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