Have you
hugged your paper towels?
Vivian Krigline gets a special treat,
far from the comforts of home
(June 2003--edited by Michael)
“Delight yourself in the Lord and
he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Ps. 37:4 NIV)
The Bible verse above has always meant a lot to me. Unfortunately, I’m afraid
I’m not always good at keeping my part of this—but God sure is! Of course
we depend on Him to help with our major issues. But, how many times
(have you ever thought about how many times?) has He given you that
“whisper of a wish”? No, I am not talking about a real “prayer”—it might
even be something you would probably not even dare to say out loud—but
merely a ‘wish’ that only you know about. Then, when it happens (wishes do
come true you know!), there is that special Voice inside that laughs a
little and says “I love you enough to give you this, too!”
Well, here’s my story. Moving to China meant moving away from many
conveniences previously taken for granted. For example, I used to be able
to twist a faucet and get hot water to wash dishes, turn a knob to change
the temperature of my whole house, and drive a car to go when and wherever
I wanted, to get whatever I wanted! Not any more.
After moving to China, many such things became a bit more of a challenge
(in part because of my limited ability to use the Chinese language).
Shopping was one of these challenges! After about a month in Shanghai, I
learned what really could be found and what couldn’t. At first, my
can’t find list was longer than the can find, but over time
many of my can’t finds were struck off the list. One of those items
was paper towels!
Two years passed and we moved to Xi’an, which meant learning all over
again what could and couldn’t be found. My can’t find list grew
again. One of the many items back on that list was paper towels. After a few
months, I found where to buy "western" things like Andrew's breakfast
cereal and mustard, but paper towels remained on my can’t find
list.
One day last week, while working in my kitchen, I just said (out loud,
because I talk to myself that way): “I sure wish I could get a real paper
towel—these napkins are nice, but I sure miss real paper towels.”
Not three days went by when I noticed a beautiful roll of paper towels in
an American friend’s kitchen! At my excitement, she laughed and told me
she was just as surprised to see them in her friend’s home—then she told
me where she got them! When I got home with my paper towels (3 rolls in a
pack!) I again heard my Heavenly Father laugh that sweet “I really care
for you” laugh, and I earnestly thanked Him for my paper towels!
Now each time
I use my new-found paper towels I try to remember to “delight myself in
the Lord” because I know how much he delights in giving me the “desires of
my heart.” And if He cares about such little things in our lives, how much
more does he care and want us to trust Him with all of our cares
and worries!
© 2003 Vivian Krigline, all
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