God moves couches
I got a new couch. I didn’t realize furniture stores in the metro charge for delivery — even when it’s only an 8-mile drive. I suppose I still have a small-town mindset.
I called my brother asking if he and Elizabeth would help move a couch. “I’ll pay,” I made sure to include. He called back, leaving a message with a cheerful “Hey sista! We should be able to move that couch for ya. We’ll bring the truck. I’ll just need to know the measurements so I know what straps to bring.” (For those of you who don’t know my brother, he’s like the kindest, burliest teddy bear with a soft, squeaky heart. He could rough up anyone but has the heart of a saint. If you need help, he’s always the first responder. #formerparamedic)
Everything was set. We’d go pick up the new couch, drive back to my place, carry the old couch out and swap in the new.
A little background: it’s been a tough few weeks; everyone has them. This past week was especially difficult. It’s a long story and there were a lot of contributing factors, so I’ll spotlight the most recent of events: one of my best friends moved to Russia. Tears, tears, tears. By Friday, I couldn’t have squeezed out another tear if I tried. A badly timed comment from a colleague (not a close one) on Friday morning put the icing on the poorly baked cake.
So yeah, I was low. I didn’t want to see or talk to anyone. My Friday evening consisted of a long sauna session, chased by a cold shower and warm PJs. I thought seriously about canceling any couch doings for the next day. I held off until morning; all is better in the morning.
My morning devotions reset me for marching on. Yes, that Friday comment had bad timing; it haunted me all weekend. But God’s timing is perfect. He orchestrated Ryan and Elizabeth to help me when I needed it most — but not in the way you would expect.
Their servant hearts shined as they pushed and pulled those couches with me. (Although I must admit, Ryan was the superstar in the lifting department. Somehow, I turned my back for a few seconds and he had the couch standing on end in the freight elevator!)
Fast forward to the new couch being in place, ready for Murphy’s approval. I tried to pay, as I was happy to do. They wouldn’t accept saying, “You do so many nice things for people it’s about time someone does something for you.”
If my tears hadn’t already dried out, I would have bawled on the spot. It wasn’t getting a new couch or even the sacrificial labor it took to do so; it was the feeling of being taken care of. Someone took care of me, made a sacrifice for me, showed me a glimpse of God’s love. That’s what I needed.
I felt God’s arms holding me as I hugged Ryan and Elizabeth goodbye. “It won’t be long ‘til Thanksgiving. Let me know what I can bring,” I closed. And they drove off.
When you’re at the end of your rope, remember that God will show up. You may not see or feel him when and where you think you need him, but he will be there. He moves in the perfect place, at the perfect time.
Sometimes, he even moves couches.
I called my brother asking if he and Elizabeth would help move a couch. “I’ll pay,” I made sure to include. He called back, leaving a message with a cheerful “Hey sista! We should be able to move that couch for ya. We’ll bring the truck. I’ll just need to know the measurements so I know what straps to bring.” (For those of you who don’t know my brother, he’s like the kindest, burliest teddy bear with a soft, squeaky heart. He could rough up anyone but has the heart of a saint. If you need help, he’s always the first responder. #formerparamedic)
Everything was set. We’d go pick up the new couch, drive back to my place, carry the old couch out and swap in the new.
A little background: it’s been a tough few weeks; everyone has them. This past week was especially difficult. It’s a long story and there were a lot of contributing factors, so I’ll spotlight the most recent of events: one of my best friends moved to Russia. Tears, tears, tears. By Friday, I couldn’t have squeezed out another tear if I tried. A badly timed comment from a colleague (not a close one) on Friday morning put the icing on the poorly baked cake.
So yeah, I was low. I didn’t want to see or talk to anyone. My Friday evening consisted of a long sauna session, chased by a cold shower and warm PJs. I thought seriously about canceling any couch doings for the next day. I held off until morning; all is better in the morning.
My morning devotions reset me for marching on. Yes, that Friday comment had bad timing; it haunted me all weekend. But God’s timing is perfect. He orchestrated Ryan and Elizabeth to help me when I needed it most — but not in the way you would expect.
Their servant hearts shined as they pushed and pulled those couches with me. (Although I must admit, Ryan was the superstar in the lifting department. Somehow, I turned my back for a few seconds and he had the couch standing on end in the freight elevator!)
Fast forward to the new couch being in place, ready for Murphy’s approval. I tried to pay, as I was happy to do. They wouldn’t accept saying, “You do so many nice things for people it’s about time someone does something for you.”
If my tears hadn’t already dried out, I would have bawled on the spot. It wasn’t getting a new couch or even the sacrificial labor it took to do so; it was the feeling of being taken care of. Someone took care of me, made a sacrifice for me, showed me a glimpse of God’s love. That’s what I needed.
I felt God’s arms holding me as I hugged Ryan and Elizabeth goodbye. “It won’t be long ‘til Thanksgiving. Let me know what I can bring,” I closed. And they drove off.
When you’re at the end of your rope, remember that God will show up. You may not see or feel him when and where you think you need him, but he will be there. He moves in the perfect place, at the perfect time.
Sometimes, he even moves couches.
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