The Shoe Box - Memorial Box Monday

Memorial Box Monday is coming a few hours early around this place.  We are packing up and I don't know if I will get to my computer tomorrow and this is just too fun not to post!

David's piano recital was today.  The dress code is:  Nice slacks, button-up shirt with a collar, and dress shoes.  Basically, business-casual for kids.  The problem:  My son is 13.  When he was 5, he had 3 different suits, ties, and dress shoes in black and brown.  He looked so handsome!  Now he wears jeans.  Even to church.  To enhance the problem:  we are moving.  This is a two-fold issue.  First, I don't have time to shop.  Second, I don't have money to shop.  (and truthfully, if I did have money, I wouldn't want to buy something he is only going to wear one time.  That seems very wasteful.)

David with Katie at about 7 years old

I found a pair of cords and a button up shirt that were handed down to him and still hanging in his closet.  By God's grace alone, they fit.  The only problem I still had were his shoes.  I felt really bad because the instructions were explicit about NO TENNIS SHOES.  But, I couldn't justify the expense. 

After church today, I stopped to tell a friend I had been praying for her and her family.  I have been praying for her a lot and she didn't know it, so I wanted to make sure I told her.  She said she had been driving around with a box of clothes to hand down to us for weeks and was glad she saw me...In the bag were a pair of dress shoes in the PERFECT size!  (That was a miracle in itself.)  They were exactly the size David wears!  How awesome is that! 

It's the little things.  God cares for each and every little thing.  As I seek to please HIM with my behavior, spending etc...He rewards me with His provision.  I was at that "last minute."  I couldn't have changed my mind, and he provided.  And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Matthew 6:28. 

Paper Chase - a slightly different tale

While pursuing adoption, one of the first steps is the Paper Chase.  This is the period of time when the dreaded forms are filled out, reconsidered, filled out again, and then turned in, lost and then resubmitted.  It takes awhile.  If you are pursuing an international adoption, this part can be a nightmare if you are pursuing a domestic adoption, this part is merely a bad dream.

I am not going to talk about that type of paper chase.  Our next adoption is starting with a different kind of paper chase...News paper.  I bet you didn't guess that one!  Since this is "Memorial Box Monday," I thought I should share about God's recent and wonderful provision. 

As I began packing boxes for The Move, (it seems that I mention it enough that I should give it a formal title) I began receiving the daily paper.  I didn't order a subscription.  It just showed up wrapped in a thin rubber band on my front porch, daily.  At first, I started for the recycling bin thinking, "One more thing in the house while I am trying to pack."  When I realized, WAIT!  I need newspaper to pack!  I piled that newspaper right up in a corner and have been using it since.  I have yet to run out.  That newspaper shows up everyday wrapped in the thin rubber band, unless it is raining - when it comes in a thin yellow plastic sheath.  One day I was close to running out and my neighbor and my mom made a donation to my dwindling paper supply, but I have yet to actually need more.  Does this remind anyone but me about the Israelites and the manna???

Reflecting on this, I realize that I wouldn't have had to worry about packing paper.  Worst case scenario, I may have had to go to my neighbors and ask for their old papers or I may have had to go to the actual paper and ask for old papers.  I don't think I would have had to spend any money no matter what.  But, what was so special about this was that God provided even though it would have only cost me energy.  God provided just to show me He was there.  For all who would question this...I don't know the paper boy.  This started before our house was listed for rent and before there was a sign in the yard.  This started before any of our neighbors knew we were moving.  I am also pretty sure the paper boy isn't one of the 3 people (including me) who read this blog.  Oh yeah, I didn't order a subscription.  I am pretty sure that is usually the only way of getting a paper delivered to your home regularly in any ordinary circumstances. 

So, do I trust God?  If He is going to choose to make sure I have packing paper for our move, why wouldn't He take care of the other concerns that might come up?  Of course I trust Him!  I am so thankful that He chooses to show Himself to me.  Why He makes that choice is amazing to me, but I am sure glad He does!!!  I can't wait to see how He continues to provide when I officially start the other Paper Chase!