Pinching pennies turned from a hobby to a career this year as my husband and I have received too many rejection emails after job interviews. We are both 66. No need for explanations on this situation.
My go-to store for housewares and clothes used to be Macy's or Target. Now it is Goodwill. Two weeks ago I was rushed to the emergency room for chest pain and shortness of breath. After five days in the hospital and five new prescriptions, I was told to be very careful driving. Yesterday, I got in my car in my driveway and prayed: "Lord, please give me protection on the road and favor in the marketplace." My kitchen needed some bowls, glasses, and odds and ends, so off to the nearest Goodwill I went.
The place was pretty crowded, just like the whole city of Lynnwood, WA is. It wasn't senior discount day, or any other special discount day, just a normal Monday. I found some white bowls, some nearly new glasses, and then an espresso coffee machine caught my eye. Standing there amidst $7.00 K-cup coffee makers and $5.00 Mr. Coffee drip machines, it was unique, and for me, too expensive - $25. My husband and I had always wanted one of these, but never gave in to such a luxury. As I turned my back on the espresso maker, a petite Asian woman wearing a manager nametag asked me: "Do you like that espresso maker?" Her brown eyes twinkled and her smile was bright. "Yes," I answered, "but that is too much money for me." Then she handed me an orange slip. "Here, show this to the cashier when you check out and you will have 50% off everything in your basket."
"Thank you," I whispered, "why are you giving me this?"
"No special reason," she almost giggled. "Just show it to the cashier."
I carefully placed the espresso machine in my basket, and then added a few more necessities from the houseware shelves.
"Wow, you sure are lucky," said this young cashier to me as I handed her the orange slip and placed my finds on her counter. "These orange slips are very rare," she explained. I could tell she was not going to give me any further explanation so I did not ask her for the reason. My thoughts returned to my driveway prayer - asking for favor in the marketplace. I knew I was not simply lucky, I was abundantly blessed.
"So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man" Provers 3:4
My go-to store for housewares and clothes used to be Macy's or Target. Now it is Goodwill. Two weeks ago I was rushed to the emergency room for chest pain and shortness of breath. After five days in the hospital and five new prescriptions, I was told to be very careful driving. Yesterday, I got in my car in my driveway and prayed: "Lord, please give me protection on the road and favor in the marketplace." My kitchen needed some bowls, glasses, and odds and ends, so off to the nearest Goodwill I went.
The place was pretty crowded, just like the whole city of Lynnwood, WA is. It wasn't senior discount day, or any other special discount day, just a normal Monday. I found some white bowls, some nearly new glasses, and then an espresso coffee machine caught my eye. Standing there amidst $7.00 K-cup coffee makers and $5.00 Mr. Coffee drip machines, it was unique, and for me, too expensive - $25. My husband and I had always wanted one of these, but never gave in to such a luxury. As I turned my back on the espresso maker, a petite Asian woman wearing a manager nametag asked me: "Do you like that espresso maker?" Her brown eyes twinkled and her smile was bright. "Yes," I answered, "but that is too much money for me." Then she handed me an orange slip. "Here, show this to the cashier when you check out and you will have 50% off everything in your basket."
"Thank you," I whispered, "why are you giving me this?"
"No special reason," she almost giggled. "Just show it to the cashier."
I carefully placed the espresso machine in my basket, and then added a few more necessities from the houseware shelves.
"Wow, you sure are lucky," said this young cashier to me as I handed her the orange slip and placed my finds on her counter. "These orange slips are very rare," she explained. I could tell she was not going to give me any further explanation so I did not ask her for the reason. My thoughts returned to my driveway prayer - asking for favor in the marketplace. I knew I was not simply lucky, I was abundantly blessed.
"So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man" Provers 3:4
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