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Tuesday, July 15, 2008

It's ALL in the DETAILS


Long, long ago . . . in a galaxy far, far away . . . when gas cost about 68 cents/gallon . . . as I was driving home from work, I noticed that the gas gauge in my car was desperately trying to inform me that I was seriously way past "empty" - so empty, in fact, that I wasn't even sure I'd make it home. Thankfully, I was approaching a gas station and pulled right in. A quick 'purse dive' later, and I had gathered a whopping $6.00! Definitely not enough to 'fill 'er up' but it would get me home.

A few minutes later, I was pumping the gas and glancing around at all of the folks milling in and out of the gas station/convenience store. Immediately, a certain gentleman caught my attention. He was a giant, slightly angry-looking man about 6.5 feet tall. He was carrying the biggest bottle of whiskey I'd ever seen - in his bare hands (no bag) and a stack of adult magazines.

I had a sudden urge to pray.

I asked God to intervene in his life - quickly. I prayed for any woman or children he might be going home to. I prayed for God to shed light on his twisted, distorted view of life and break any spiritual bondage. I asked God to begin healing his deep wounds and to undo what the devil had begun. I prayed for this man to receive a life-changing visitation from his Maker. I prayed for the whiskey to spill all over the magazines. ('Cause I'm deep like that.) I prayed for him to meet Jesus in a powerful way. And, before I could pray one more thing, I heard the sound of the gas pump shut off. (Ahhhhhhhhhhh!)

I had been so absorbed in praying for the scary man, I completely forgot that I was putting gas in my car! Before I could force myself look at the price on the pump, I began to try to figure out how in the world I was going to be able to leave that gas station without paying for all of my gas. Scary man was on his own.

Eventually, of course, I looked at the pump. Much to my complete shock, the price was only $6.37. Hope was alive! Surely, the attendant wouldn't hold me there and call the police for 37 cents! I quickly grabbed my purse to find the $6.00 cash and as I did, I heard coins clanking around somewhere in the unknown recesses of my bag. You can probably guess that there was exactly 37 cents in loose change waiting for me there. Hallelujah! No big-house for me!
That little incident happened over 20 years ago, but God reminds me of it from time to time. It helps me remember that His eyes are always on me. His eyes are always on my details.

On that particular day, my 'job' was to intercede for someone who probably would not pray for himself. I have no way of knowing what went on before or after that day in that man's life. What I do know, is that when I submitted to what God placed before me - intercession - without concern for my own situation (more accurately - I zoned out for a minute), God covered me. I didn't know that there was 37 cents in the bottom of my purse, but God did. In my fervor, I stopped paying attention to the gas pump for a few moments, but God didn't. I did not know the circumstances surrounding the scary man's life. God did. And when I stepped out to do the only thing I knew to do, He moved in and handled my details.

God didn't have to stop the gas pump for me. He didn't have to. He chose to. Most people (myself included) might call that a 'small thing'. Yet I'm forced to realize that the God who chose to create the universe, dry up the Red Sea, deliver millions of Hebrew slaves, raise the dead, and give His life for a people so very undeserving - that same God - chose to stop a gas pump exactly where I needed it. He stepped out of the endless vastness of eternity, into time, to do a 'small thing'. A detail.


Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.(Luke 12:6-7)


The God Who has numbered the hairs on our heads and Who knows the whereabouts of every sparrow - that God - knows our details. Our details: the fear, the uncertainty, the loss, the tears, the "what-ifs", . . . He KNOWS ! And, despite what we secretly believe in the back of our minds, He is Oh so willing to get involved in our details - our 'small things'.

Let's shake off the idea that we shouldn't "bother" God unless we've got a mountain to move. He's not kidding about knowing the number of hairs on your head! Doesn't that sound like Someone Who might possibly be interested your details today?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Questions for Reflection:
~ What are some reasons that we don't go to God with our daily details?

~ Name a specific "detail" in which you'd like for Him to intervene.

~ Give one good reason why you can't tell Him now ;)

In Him . . .




Visit Darnelle at her personal blog:
All Things Work Together. . .

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15 Comments:

Blogger Denise said...

Amen, God wants to know everything about our lives, big, or small details.

July 15, 2008 at 2:16 AM  
Blogger Tracy P. said...

I love that. These are the moments that are like "stones from the Jordan" to remind us for many years to come that the vast river between us and our need is truly passable with Him.

July 15, 2008 at 7:40 AM  
Blogger Amico Dio said...

Oh... to only be aware of each and every one of these moments when God takes care of something so small yet so profound. He is amazing!

July 15, 2008 at 8:08 AM  
Blogger Patty Wysong said...

The fact that He IS a God of detail, little-bitty detail, jumped out at me (again!) just a few days ago. How I thank Him for His constant love and watch care over the details of our lives--my life!!

July 15, 2008 at 9:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

beautiful post! God does even the little things that we take for granted so often! Thanks for reminding me!

July 15, 2008 at 9:47 AM  
Blogger LauraLee Shaw said...

Incredibly poignant post. Needed a couple of tissues. The man you prayed for could have been my dad. Thank you for your sensitive heart for the Lord AND for reminding me today to cast aside my empathy and take the time to care and be aware.

July 15, 2008 at 10:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

sometimes the little details slip past us and then when we do think of 'em .. it seems to well mundane.

hectic week here with guests at our inn, horseshow and dislocated pinkie... i just kept giving the details to G-d.. :)

blessings all
gp in montana

July 15, 2008 at 11:38 AM  
Blogger Jennifer said...

Wow, that was an amazing story! God is so big...why do we always forget that?

July 15, 2008 at 5:52 PM  
Blogger Julie said...

Another great post, dear friend.

I am so blessed to remember through your words that He cares about each minute detail of my life.

Thanks for reminding me today.

Hugs,
Julie

July 15, 2008 at 8:11 PM  
Blogger Melanie @ This Ain't New York said...

This brought tears to my eyes. I have been overwhelmed so many times to pray or call or do something that God is telling- commanding- me to do. Each and every time He has done something amazing.

Thank you for sharing what it is like to be still, listen and know that He is God.

Bless you! I just prayed for this man and his family. No telling where they are now 20 years later- but God knows.

July 15, 2008 at 8:34 PM  
Blogger windycindy said...

That man does seem very scary! I would love for God to keep me from worrying. I really enjoyed your post. Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

July 15, 2008 at 9:30 PM  
Blogger Becky said...

It's comforting to know that God is in every little detail! Too bad we often don't let him control all of it alone! HA! We think He needs help!

July 16, 2008 at 5:52 PM  
Blogger Tammy said...

What a great post! I laughed about your prayer and the whisky. That's hilarious! Thanks for sharing and encouraging all of us to intercede on behalf of others, as well as, every detail of our own lives!

July 16, 2008 at 6:33 PM  
Blogger Natalie Witcher said...

Funny and great post! Thanks for reminding us that he does care about every detail!

July 17, 2008 at 5:14 PM  
Blogger Edie said...

I loved this story and the way you told it. You are so right. God is in all the tiny details. If we can't trust Him in the little things, how can we possibly trust Him in the big things. I always pray when I lose or misplace something and He Always shows me where it is, He chose the color I painted the outside of my house (story behind that), He showed me where a pin was that I had dropped and was worried about someone stepping on. He just never fails... and I needed the encouragement I found here. Thank you sweet sister. Rich Blessings~

July 19, 2008 at 11:51 PM  

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