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?
