Have you ever prayed about something and then immediately thought it was just too unimportant to bother God with?
Yep. Me, too.
Early last week, I realized my credit card was missing from my wallet. Steve and I searched multiple times through multiple purses, my wallet, and under, behind, and beside the seat of the car. We knew our account hadn’t been hacked because no suspicious charges were appearing. The card was simply misplaced. But very thoroughly misplaced.
I called my dermatologist’s office, which was the last place I remembered using the card. It hadn’t turned up there.
It was odd because I always put my credit card back in my wallet immediately after I use it, so I couldn’t imagine how it could have just disappeared. And if you’ve ever lost a credit card, you know what a hassle it is to replace it and update all your account information. We are also in the process of getting our new laptop up and running and getting data transferred, which is enough of a challenge. I didn’t want to deal with changing credit card info, too.
As I was leaving for work on Friday, I was thinking about the lost card, and I prayed the teensiest, tiniest prayer. “Lord, I know that you know where the card is. Could you please just show me?”
And then (oh, me of little faith), I immediately second-guessed my prayer and said to myself, “Oh, for crying out loud, Becky. There are enormous, important, serious things going on in the world. And you’re praying about a lost credit card?”
And so I added a quick P.S. to my prayer. “Lord, never mind. Feel free to ignore that request.”
I don’t know if I’ve ever added a P.S to a prayer before, but it just seemed like the thing to do.
Steve and I got ready to take Tinker and Belle for a walk. Spring is such a beautiful season, and I was looking forward to getting out in the neighborhood and seeing all of nature in its freshly blossomed state.
Just before we started the walk, I realized the day was chillier than I thought, and I ran back into the house to get a jacket. I stood in the hall for ten or fifteen seconds, trying to decide between my options: a sweater, a light jacket, or a medium jacket. Out of all the choices in each of those categories, I randomly opted for a windbreaker/raincoat that used to belong to Vernie. I threw it on and ran back outside to rejoin the hubby/canine walking crew.
We had barely made it to the next street over when I checked my right pocket pocket for a Kleenex.
There was not a Kleenex.
But there was a credit card.
I couldn’t believe it! I hardly ever wear that coat (unless it’s raining), and I am certain I didn’t wear it to the doctor’s office, which is the last place I remember having the card.
But whatever the story of how it got there, God heard my teensy prayer and knew exactly where the card was. As I stood in the hall and “randomly” chose a seldom-worn coat, He answered my prayer.
And ignored my P.S. altogether.
What about you?
Tell us about a big or small prayer you’ve had answered.
Have you ever lost something and then unexpectedly found it?
I cannot count how many times I have prayed about a lost item, after looking for it frantically, and finding it very quickly and in the oddest place. You would think I would just start praying before I frantically ensued searching. Your post reminded me that I should do just that. I have a credit card that has been missing for several weeks and since I use my phone to “tap“ more than I use it to actually pay, I haven’t stressed about finding it. Same story— no strange charges so I know it’s not in criminal hands. I think today is going to be the day that I pray about my card. I’ll keep you posted when I find it.
Lisa,
I hope your card has turned up. At least it’s a comfort that there are no strange charges.
I love “tap to pay.”
Love the answered prayer – nothing is ever too big OR too small. Happy Easter!
SueEllen,
So true about nothing too big or too small–I think I neweded that reminder.
What a wonderful feeling to find a lost item!! Wouldn’t it be interesting if you could track the journey of that missing credit card as it found its way into Vernie’s pocket?!
I grew up Catholic, and my mom always had us praying to St. Anthony for lost items, as one of the early commenters mentioned.
Earlier this week I may have had to pray to get my gas cap opened, but didn’t have to, thanks to you, AutoAdvisor Becky! For the first time ever, I found myself unable to pop the little door open at the gas station. I thought of your recent blog post, and realized I had locked my car, which I must have never done before with this vehicle. Without your recent post, I wonder how I might have figured out the problem?!
Happy Easter to the Smiths!
Ann,
Oh, your comment just made my day. So glad I was able to save someone else from the stress of not being able to put gas in your car. Hooray!
Yes, I would love to have tracked that card’s journey to the coat pocket. And as I was telling Steve, now that we are in warm weather, I may not have put that coat on again till fall.
A couple of weeks ago, I lost the back to one of my earrings. It’s a different kind that holds the earring nicely to the ear. I knew it had to be in the house somewhere but our carpeting is thick and sort of shaggy downstairs. I figured the vac would get it. One evening as I was getting ready to sit down, I stepped on it! Found it with my foot! Considering the size of our basement and everywhere I had been that night, it’s a small miracle. 🙂 It’s amazing how things work out!
LeeAnne,
I love the feeling of unexpectedly finding something you don’t have much hope of finding. It’s like a little zing to the pscyche! Glad you found your backing; I know how it is to have some earring backs you hate and some you love.
I loved the title, and the story.
I love that God cares about every little detail of our lives.
Also love the picture of Spring springing up in the front of your house. 🙂
Love, Carol
Carol,
I’m right there with you–appreciating God’s care for all things in our lives.
I wish that picture showed springtime in front of our house. It was actually a house down the street.
Hugs to all!
Oh my! I didn’t look close enough at the house! 🤭
We are all glad that the Lord works in mysterious ways. My hubby lost his drivers license recently. For days we looked and prayed and even went so far as to go to the DMV to get him another one. They were so busy that day we just left. I was getting ready to go somewhere one day and put something in the back seat of my car and there laying in the floor of my backseat was his drivers license. Whew!! What a happy feeling in your tummy. Don’t have any idea how his DL got back there but thankful it did. He can’t drive anymore due to his brain disease but we have to show his DL at some places we go.
I hope you and your family have a wonderfully blessed Easter. Enjoy Gods beauty and the love of family.
Kaye,
Isn’t it fun to find something you think is totally lost? No better feeling.
Happy Easter to you guys, as well.
Whew. That is such a horrible feeling when that card is not where it should be. I usually check every pocket in my slacks, jackets, sweaters, etc. and when I have, then I go and do it again. So glad you found yours.
Sharyn,
Checking pockets is definitely a good step after checking the car. But I was so sure I hadn’t worn that coat, it didn’t even occur to me! I was dumbfounded when it showed up.
I love God’s kindness…and his sweet way of answering the requests that you worry may be a bit too trivial.
Lisa,
Yes. Such a small thing relatively but what a huge joy to find the card unexpectedly! So thankful.
A few weeks ago, I thought, I need a
re -tractable dog leash. Never had one and it would work well for my dog walks. Just a small thought up to the Lord- I need to get one.
Just 2 days later, driving past our busy Kwik Trip, I saw an object in the middle of the road-near the painted line. I glanced at it with interest as I passed and looked in side mirror again–that’s a re-tractable dog leash!!! I quickly turned around -parked on side street and walked into traffic to get it! works perfect-kinda excited me–just what I need -right in my path, with no shopping around or spending involved. Deal done! By the good mercy of our Lord Jesus.
Thank you Lord for daily small incidents that show you are there always-providing for your children.
Ruth
Ruth,
What a fun story! I can just see you whipping your car off the road and running to get that leash. Just the thing you needed, right when you needed it.
Hooray and hallelujah!
So glad you found your credit card. My husband left it at a restaurant 80 miles from our house. Luckily the waitress turned it in and we retrieved it the next day.
I have many little prayers answered and most are for a lost needle that I don’t want to step on or sit on. Most of the time I do find it.
I lost an earing, which was my first pair of earings that my mom bought me. I looked everywhere and figured it went down the shower drain. About a year later, as I was vacuuming, I saw a glint of light on something under a low cabinet. It was my earing!
Patti,
I’m sure you were stoked when you saw that missing earring!
Glad the credit card your husband left was turned in. Makes you thankful for honest, helpful people.
As I get older I’m constantly thinking I’ve misplaced/lost something. Instead of praying to God I ask Saint Anthony to help me find lost item. I think these minor issues are something God doesn’t need to bother with, I pray to God for the BIG issues that I need help with.
Karen,
After reading your comment, I did some reading on Saint Anthony. So interesting!
I am grateful for so many prayers answered in our journies through life.