A Giving God, a Giving Woman

Hi all. I have one more She Speaks story to share that ties in with the woman who wrote today's P31 devotion about going deeper with God. (If you're looking for the discussion on the widow with 2 coins, see below this post but don't missing reading this post too.)


On Thursday of She Speaks, the book tables were set-up in preparation for the attendees that would arrive the following morning for the start of the pre-conference track. Now, yall know I love books! A table full of books is like a gigantic magnet to me. So when I got a chance, over I went to look at all of them. P31 carries a lot of terrific books, but one in particular really grabbed me: Pierced by the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul. I wanted to buy it on the spot, but we weren't even prepared to sell them yet.


All day Friday I looked longingly at that book as I passed by on my way to meetings or sessions. But I thought to myself, "Rachel, don't buy it. Just leave it for the attendees to buy because you can always purchase one from the ministry or your local store later." Same thing on Saturday. I would periodically check and see how many had sold and if it looked like there might be a copy left over for me by the conference end on Sunday. Only on Sunday I was too busy to get over there before they began packing up the book table. No matter, I assured myself.


Then, just before I was leaving to head home, LeAnn Rice passed me and said, "Rachel, there is a gift that was left for you at the information desk." It was a lovely gift-wrapped package with a pretty purple bow. If I weren't so tired and ready to go, I would've torn into it right there. But I was aching to get on the road home to my family. Normally I have lunch with all the P31 gals on Sunday after the conference - it's a highlight of the weekend that I never miss - but this time I just wanted to head for home.


On down the road, I needed to stop for some lunch. I grabbed my Bible to read since I was eating alone and then noticed the pretty package in my bag. I grabbed that too. When I sat down to eat, I opened the little card attached. It said this gift was from Sharon - a sweet woman I know, but not real well (at least not yet). When I opened the gift - you guessed it - it was that book I wanted!




The next day I emailed Sharon to thank her, and ask her why she had given it to me. I wondered if she had seen me looking longingly at that book all weekend. She explained she had wanted to give me something just to bless me (she participates in the online Women of the Bible study here, and is a great supporter of P31 Ministries too) but she was unsure what to give. So she simply prayed and asked God what would be a good gift for Rachel. Then she got this book and wrapped it.


What really gets me is that she did all this in the weeks before the She Speaks conference. She carried that book all wrapped up for me in her suitcase. I didn't even know that book existed until I saw it at the conference. So God knew what I wanted before I even did! He truly knows the desires of our hearts ... even better than we do.


As I sat there in the restaurant holding the small, blue book in my hands, I felt God's love wash over me. The Creator of the universe had paused to give me the little book I wanted and to say, "I love you, dear one, and always remember I've got you covered." I realized why I was not having lunch with my P31 girlfriends that day - I had a lunch date with my Lord.


All this happened for me because one woman had a giving heart and a praying spirit. Pop over and check out Sharon Sloan's blog "Joy in the Truth".

What will you let God do through you today?