The Snow Shovel

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

We had a whopper of a 4-day snowstorm this past week, and it seemed like my husband and his friends took turns digging each other out from snow-packed parking lots and ditches.  I find it quite comical as these men have a running joke between them about who owns the biggest and best brand of truck.  Obviously, it doesn't matter how big or what model your truck is, but rather, the amount of snow you find yourself stuck.

Last night on the way home from helping his friend dig out of the ditch, my husband phoned me to tell me he had to turn around and go back because he had left his snow shovel behind.

When my husband finally walked through the door, I asked, "Did you get your shovel?"  He smiled at me, and he said, "No, it was gone when I got there."  I couldn't believe it.  How could this happen in small town America in a matter of ten minutes?  My husband then looked at me and said, "Someone must have needed it more than I did."  I was prepared for those words of acceptance because he will often speak those same words to me when someone forgets to return a tool, or when something gets stolen or misplaced.  It's spoken in complete trust that God will continue to provide for our needs.

So-

I began to think on the flip side.

Maybe what I considered to be stolen, the person who saw the snow shovel sticking out of the snowbank thought it was an answer to prayer? Perhaps this person prayed and asked God for that specific need, and God answered?

If not, then that is between God and that person.

Regardless of the reason, I can already see the grin on my husband's face the next time we are at Menard's looking over all the new snow shovels on display.  I'm sure he will look at me and say,

        "God always provides-"

            But that's just me!

"We have all things and abound: not because I have a good store of money in the bank, not because I have skill and wit with which to win my bread, but because the Lord is my Shepherd." Charles H. Spurgeon

"Rest assured that the Lord, Who daily provides for the millions of fish in the sea and the myriads of birds in the air will not suffer His own children to perish for lack of things of this life."  Charles H. Spurgeon