Heart Choices: Coins, Blessing and Hope -->

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Coins, Blessing and Hope



You may be thinking what do coins, blessing and hope have to do with one another?

Well, let me share what happened to me on Friday.

For those who follow Heart Choices, you know I'm in the midst of a challenging season in my life. Yes, we all have those times in life. However, I've probably been more open and transparent lately than I've ever been.

My husband Greg loves old coins. He's been collecting them since he was a little boy. Whenever anyone in my family would ask what to buy Greg for a birthday or Christmas gift, I always told them "old coins".
I remember my mom asking if there wasn't something else to give him, but I told her that's what Greg loves. So, that's what he always got as a gift from our families. Greg's mom always found the best coins as she would shop the old coin dealers and excitedly wait as he opened her gift.

Years ago, we were robbed and many of Greg's coins were stolen. It took years to build up his supply of coins again.

Recently, we had a specific need and Greg told me to sell the coins. I felt so bad but he reminded me that they can always be replaced. After all, we went through losing them in the past. I was really sad but I visited coin shops and was finally directed to a place called C &C Coins in Phoenix.

As I walked into this shop, there were several older men who were bringing in their silver and coins to sell. I noticed that the owner of the shop was a young man and he treated each person with such kindness and dignity. He didn't seem to judge anyone by their outward appearance and seemed to know many by their first name. One older man left and forgot his package. So this owner ran outside and caught up with him at the traffic light. He returned to the store with ...a smile on his face.

He sorted through my coins and explained about their value. We got into a conversation about the economy and how busy he had become with people selling many silver and gold coins. But I noticed something different about him and I felt it in my spirit. As we continued speaking, he talked about material possessions and how meaningless they really are. I asked him if he was a Christian. He smiled broadly and said yes.

Ken is a man who was living a life of faith in action. He wasn't imposing his beliefs on others. But the way he treated people was so different from the world. He was kind and respectful. He seemed genuinely interested when he was speaking to each person.

As we continued interacting, he mentioned that he went to Grace Community Church in Tempe, Arizona. It turned out that we knew many of the same people, including one of my best friends Sue. In fact, he told me that she was bringing a neighbor to the shop that very afternoon! Coincidence? I believe it was ...a very special God moment for me.

I left that coin shop with more money than I had even hoped to obtain. But more importantly, I left with ...a renewed sense of hope.

I needed that special touch from God and he used a submitted vessel named Ken to do that.

The next morning, I received a phone call from Sue. She had been to the coin shop later that day and was so excited to hear about my encounter. And then Sue told me that Ken and her husband were serving in a ministry that very morning servicing cars for single moms ...for free.

Somehow, I wasn't surprised!

Sue and I had a good cry on the phone. They were tears of joy. Sue knows me very well and we've been there for each other through many situations. I met her about 15 years ago when I was her son Mikey's nurse. He was only in his late 20's when he died but I'll save that story for another post. Sue and I have continued our friendship over the years and we have Mikey to thank for that.

But I was so grateful that we could share this moment together. How awesome is our God who knows what we need ...just when we need it?


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Debbie Petras
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17 comments:

  1. That is so very precious, love you dear.

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  2. It's exciting to see God work through His people in places we least expect it. I was encouraged to hear how the men went beyond what was expected by fixing the cars of single moms. That type of giving is a lost art today.

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  3. Oh my friend. I loved this post. Don't you love it when you can just tell when someone is a believer? It should be evident shouldn't it? But is it always? Now that's another post? LOL
    Hugs
    KIm

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  4. What a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing it.

    It always takes my breath away when God gives us joy, comfort and peace in such surprising and very real ways. And I love how, so often, His people can't help but radiate His love.

    Kimba

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  5. Oh Debbie I just LOVE stories like this. Such a "God thing" ...It always overwhelmes and amazes me when He takes the time to touch our days and lives in such an obvious and personal way. This was a pleasure and blessing to hear. Have a great day....Blessings to you, Debbie

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  6. Dear Debbie.
    It is great that you can use your gift of writing to tell others about your daily experiences. Thank you for sharing this message. It is so neat to see how the Lord worked to bring hope and joy to you just when you needed to hear from Him. I sent a copy to Ken and also to Bob, the man who runs the car care clinic.
    You are always such a blessing.
    Love,
    Sue

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  7. Hey Debbie! I love when we have "Totally God Moments"! He is so good!

    Nice to meet you! I found you blog surfing, and I'm so glad I did.

    I'm now a follower!

    Hugs,
    Traci

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  8. Isn't it just so encouraging to be Divinely "right smack in the middle of a God thing"! I've had several encounters similar to yours recently and stand amazed and humbled to have the Lord soooo bless me with His love in the most unsuspecting ways! It's like WOW LORD.....your hand is really upon me, directing my steps and guiding me all along the way!
    Thanks for sharing this post.....It reminds me of a saying we have in our house......"I anticipate the inevitable, supernatural intervention of God in my life"
    Sweet Blessings!
    Jackie

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  9. He travels paths that we least expect ... love the story!

    Have a warm, wonderful week. TTFN~ Marydon

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  10. Blessings from heaven. Our Daddy always knows what we need when we need it and delivers it right one time!

    Thank You God for taking such good care of Debbie!

    I love you and sending hugs!
    Jill

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  11. It blessed me to read this today Debbie! I love how God worked in this situation for you and how it gave you that sense of hope in such an unexpected place.

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  12. That sure touched my heart. I know exactly how it feels to be blessed by an unexpected God encounter, especially when one's soul is raw and frayed in places.

    Bless you.
    Kathleen

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  13. I don't know why, but reading this brought tears...perhaps the spirit in which you wrote it, perhaps just knowing that there are spirit filled people still out there. Maybe it was just that I felt the love of Christ through your words. You and Ken were blessed that day...a wonderful testimony of God's grace and Holy Spirit that still live today.

    God bless, Debbie...praying for Him to be in the center of your circumstances...no doubt, He is!

    Mary

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  14. Oh Debbie what a beautiful story!!! The Lord knew you needed that special touch and HE gave you that sweet kiss from Him.

    I've been praying for you and so happy to know that even if just for a moment you had a blessed encounter! God will bless Ken :) but then again He already has!

    Love and Blessings

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  15. Thanks for sharing that sweet story, Debbie. I'm glad you were blessed.

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  16. Dear Debbie,
    God is indeed great.
    Yesterday, today the same, yes to eternity.
    How wonderful it is that we see him best, when we need him the most. He isn't invisible in our good days either, but maybe we aren't looking that hard when life is running smoothly.
    I'm making the same experiences that you are these days.
    It feels so safe to be a daughter of our loving, caring, divine father.
    From Felisol

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  17. I find it encouraging just to *hear* about your renewed sense of hope. Thank you! Those little reminders are very important.

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