My son was in the front passenger seat when I pulled in to the Wendy's off of Mechanicsville Turnpike and Laburnum Avenue. I was inching my way up in the long drive-thru line and patiently waited for my time to place an order. As the line was just beginning to move, a man drove in from the opposite direction and was trying to ease his way into the line. My first thought was "Are you just gonna cut the line, really?" I could see a situation on the horizon, as more cars pulled up behind him waiting for him to move so they could get around him. I could be a difference maker if I just let him cut in front of me. I glanced in my rear-view mirror, and there were quite a few cars behind me. What would they think if I let this goober in? In a split-second decision, I waved him on in. He gave me a nod and a smile. I rolled my eyes.
I wondered, for a second, if the people behind me might be upset, but my thoughts immediately turned selfish. I didn't care. I was a widowed, young, single mom who had not yet thought about how I was going to raise my son alone. The pain from the recent trauma was still so fresh.
I counted (for the third time) the change I had stashed in the ashtray, right before pulling up to the menu. When I saw I had enough money to not only get my son a kids' meal, but I could afford to get me a hamburger too, I was happy!
With the exact change in my hand, ready to pay, I was surprised when the lady handed me my food. I hadn't paid yet!
"The guy ahead of you already paid for your order," she said with a grin on her face.
After my momentary deer in the headlights moment, I smiled back at her. "Thank you!" The driver who was in front of me was already gone, so I couldn't even thank him. I slowly drove away from the window, still in awe.
Deniece Williams' rendition of "His Eye is on the Sparrow" was playing on the radio. I still shed tears every time I hear that song. I had not yet pulled out of the parking lot when I heard the Lord's voice, even over the music, say, "I will always have someone there to look out for you." Peace dropped on me like a warm blanket, then I had to focus because I was about to pull out onto Laburnum Avenue.
Fear is a cleverly packaged gift from hell, seeking to devour you through subconscious thoughts. Are you afraid of who will or won't be there for you? Are the visions you have for your future dependent upon you making it happen? Does the fear of not having enough keep you up or working late at night? Fear not. Jehovah Jireh has a grace that is sufficient for your every need.
My one source of provision is more than enough.
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