Providence
Last night on the bus, A picked up $1.50 from the floor.
It was just there — waiting for me to pick it up.
So I did. And I smiled and thanked God for the reminder that She is looking after me. That He’s got me. I’m in a good place.
I know what you’re thinking. How did I get there, right? I mean, it’s only $1.50! How could I load so much meaning onto that?
It’s because it happens often to me.
I eat in a hawker centre here in Singapore and there’s change on the table.
Once years ago, I arrived at Changi airport and as I was walking to the taxi stand there was one $2-dollar bill and one $5-dollar bill on the floor. From nowhere. In front of me.
In a mall last year, one day I found a $1-dollar coin, and the next day I found a $10-dollar bill. A friend chided me that maybe the following day, I would find $100-dollar bill! I won’t even discount that. That could so happen.
The freakiest one this year is when I was waiting for friends at 6am at YMCA. We were going on a day-hike in Johor and I was early so I sat besides a vending machine. It was so early that it was still dark and quiet. Then I heard coins fall in the machine — where you get your change. So I checked and there it was, free money again (I forget how much).
I told my friend and colleague about it and she said that was scary.
I wasn’t scared at all.
Why would that be scary?
And yet, if you ask me whether or not I have money in the bank — that’s not always the case. In fact, most months, my whole salary is wiped out. Remittance for my folks and the overheads and upkeep of everything back home — food, electricity and water bills, grocery, gas for the car, meds, even sustenance for our dogs.
Some of my friends don’t believe this. Doesn’t mean it’s not true though. If you see my bank activity every month, you’ll see how high and dry it is just before salary day.
It’s been this way for as long as I can remember.
And yet I don’t feel wanting.
I feel loved and provided for.
Pastor Rick Warren once said “You can’t outgive God.”
That’s so true.
And my experience of providence isn’t even as spectacular as say, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta! Mine’s a glimpse at best not just of God’s providence, but Her extravagant generosity.
Give and more will be given to you.
I love that that is the lesson God wants me to learn.
Make me a cheerful giver, Lord.
Amen.
