Something Better
“God cares about the details of my life. And he cares about the details of your life, too. He cares about your heart’s desires, and he cares about your needs. He delights in providing them to you.”
Something Better
I have been helping my son and daughter-in-law look for a washer and dryer and fridge for their new home. For a couple of weeks now I have been shopping on Facebook Marketplace for a deal.
I thought I found a washer and dryer for $150. Now, if you are in the market for a used washer and dryer, you know that is a very low cost. I started messaging with the seller, and he wanted me to pay him upfront. When I said no, he became aggressive and hateful. It was obviously a scam.
We went back to the drawing board. Every time I would find a good, affordable deal, I would message the person, but someone would beat me to it and it was no longer for sale. Move-in day was approaching, and I was getting anxious for my kids to have all the appliances they needed.
Earlier this week, my daughter-in-law and I went to a local dent and ding store to continue our search. We were so hopeful, but the prices were still way above our budget. So then we went to the Habitat for Humanity Restore. They had several washers and dryers, but they were all too expensive, as well.
Finally, we went to a local appliance dealer who had used appliances. They had some in our budget. We walked out of there with a used washer and dryer for only $550 that we would pick up on moving day. I felt really good about the cost and felt like we had found our deal.
We drove to Sonic (my favorite place) and I looked on Marketplace again because I was still looking for a fridge. A used fridge had just been posted for $200. I started messaging with a very nice man who fixes and resells broken appliances. Not only did I tell him I wanted the fridge, but he had a washer and dryer, too, for $400 for the set. We were so excited to get a better deal and save some money.
I started thinking about how good God was to help us save money and still get a really nice set of appliances from a kind and helpful man who was going to deliver them to us. My daughter-in-law called the first place and asked for a refund, which they granted us in full.
I really felt like God was watching out for us. I know He is a God of details and He cares about even the little things, like saving $150 on a washer and dryer.
That night, my husband told me he had heard from a good friend who had heard we were looking for appliances. The friend told Shannon that he had a nearly new washer, dryer, and fridge available. When Shannon asked how much, his friend said “You can have them. They are free.”
Shannon told me this and I felt overwhelmed and a little confused. They were free? We have been looking and looking, and he is giving them to us? What a generous and amazing gift.
It hit me then that God had set up our search this way. First we were nearly scammed, then we couldn't find anything in our budget. Then we found a good deal, then we found a great deal. And then God provided each appliance we needed to us for free through the generosity of a friend.
This is the way God works. He provides good things, but something better is always on the horizon. I can’t help but think of Isaiah 43:19, which says, “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” He wanted us to see that he has good and better things in store for us always.
This has happened to me over and over again in my life. I have had a need and have felt like I would never have the need met. But then, just at the right time, God comes through in a way bigger and better than I could have ever imagined.
God cares about the details of my life. And he cares about the details of your life, too. He cares about your heart’s desires, and he cares about your needs. He delights in providing them to you.
I am not always the most patient person and have been known to question God in frustration. But one thing is always true: God delivers on His promises every single time. His timing is just usually different from mine.
What are you waiting on? What heart’s desire do you have that hasn’t been given to you? In the frustration and disappointment you feel, don’t forget that God has a plan figured out for you. It’s a good plan. Can you see it?