Encouragement

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The Lost Buckle
Coincidence or God?



The days were filled with busyness. It was one week before Christmas, and one hour

before I was due to pick the kids up from school. I decided I had just enough time to run

into Wal-Mart and pick up one last gift item for the kids. I rushed to the back of the store

located the toy department, grabbed a board game, and headed to the register.

While standing in line, I tried to slow my thoughts down. My mind was racing

in circles with all sorts of frustrations that I just could not control. I came to the conclusion I was completely weary of it all when I heard that will be $21.19. I dug in my wallet for the money. Why am I even buying this? I thought we really can’t afford gifts this year. With my wallet still in my hand I completed the checkout, glanced at my watch, and grabbed my bag to leave.
I raced towards the door when I heard a familiar voice. “Jeannie”, I turned to look, it was my bible study leader. “We missed you last week” she said. I hugged her and replied I missed you too. After some short words with my friend, I once again headed towards the door to leave. I was running late to get the kids.
I began power walking across the parking lot when I heard a distinctive sound similar to that of a coin dropping. I ignored the sound and continued to walk. When I got to the car, I reached for the keys and looked down at my wallet in my hand, but OH NO! My buckle was gone. The buckle that closes my favorite wallet was gone. That was the sound I heard. I retraced some of my steps but nothing. I had to go I was late to get the kids.
That night at home I told my husband what happened and asked him if he could somehow fix my wallet. It was such a nice wallet but I could not use it without the buckle. He assessed the problem but determined that the only way to fix it was indeed with the original buckle. I was saddened, because it was a gift from my mother. I knew there was no way I could ever find that buckle especially in a Wal-Mart parking lot for goodness sake!
Later that night my husband also informed me that the monopoly board game I had gotten was the wrong one. I said what do you mean it is the wrong one? How many different monopolies are there? He replied you would be surprised.
The next morning I went back to Wal-Mart to exchange the game. As I walked across the same parking lot several thoughts entered into my mind. First I thought I should look for the buckle. Then I thought it would be a waste of time, I will never find it. I can’t even remember where I parked yesterday. Then I thought Lord, there have been so many trials in this season of my life and you seem so far away. Are you there anymore?
At that moment I heard a voice. The voice said look down my child now. I looked down and what I saw brought me to my knees. It was my buckle. As tears filled my eyes I knew God had used this particular moment to show me that He is always there even in the smallest details of my life. It was such a powerful message, one I will never forget.
About a month later I was sitting in my car working on a bible lesson. I started reflecting on God’s presence in my life and His plans for my life. I began to receive this overwhelming tug in my soul to share my buckle story. As I starred out the window, puzzled, I asked, God do you want me to write about the buckle as a reminder to your children of your presence? I continued, God if you do please show me and I will obey.
At that moment, as I continued to stare out my window, a woman crossed the parking lot. I can not tell you anything about her other than she was carrying a handbag with a buckle. A buckle that the sun was reflecting off of so strongly that it resembled the stars above. It continued to shimmer until my eye could no longer see.
Remember it is not us that have chosen God, but God that has chosen us (John 15:16) and He promises that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He is concerned with every detail of our life.
I am amazed at God’s love and how He longs to be the editor of our life story. I am so thankful for The Lost Buckle.

By Jeannie Smith

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