I asked- He Answered

Today was an interesting day...

It started as the typical unexcited, unproductive day as I prepared to go to work once again. I failed by turning my alarm off to go running before work, I failed in the sense that I was running semi-"late" getting ready for work. I was just finishing my cereal at the coffee table while doing the usual watching of SportsCenter and I looked at the clock on the stove. I was running about 15 minutes late which meant I had roughly 40-45 minutes to make myself a lunch, check my email and use fifteen minutes to commute.

Time must have slowed down for me this morning. I finished making lunch, brushing my teeth, checking my email and still had time to do my morning devotions. They're typically just a short little bit but since I was running later than usual I wasn't sure I'd get it in there. But I did, and had time to spare. I used that time to pray. It's been a while since I've really buckled down and prayed for a longer period of time. Let's be honest, it hasn't been on the top of my priority list for a number of my own reasons. But there I was, praying that I would see the Lord today. I asked him to reveal himself to me. I needed it, and I have for some time now.

I arrived at work, 45 minutes earlier than scheduled, but my manager and I had some things to get done and we were without a co-worker since she stopped showing up for work so we couldn't do it when we were open because it'd take too much time away from the customers. So it was an early morning getting right to work. And I was getting return after return which really annoys me when I have other things to get done. Being in retail for two plus years, that wears on you. Why can't they just try it on? Why don't they know their husband's size by now? I think it's lame. So the day didn't start out great. Nor was it progressing well. I was starving by noon and wouldn't be able to take a break until about 1:30pm. Lots of little things that add up to annoy me during a typical day. But I had given the day to the Lord, for once.

I finally got to lunch and made my usual call to Katy to see how she was doing but she didn't answer both times I called her. I left her a message the second time wishing her the best on an imaging test she was taking at Target, as she's been visiting or interning with her uncle there for a few days lately. So she was finally going to take the imaging test that one of the art directors wanted her to do to she could potentially freelance some work for her.

Anyway, she didn't answer which wasn't a surprise but I would have liked to talk to someone...

I got back to work shortly after that and was left alone in the whole men's department for about an hour and a half. Not really what's supposed to happen at a big department store. But I held down the fort fairly well and finally made my way home at 5:30.

Just as I was about out of the mall parking lot Katy gave me a call to say hi and see if we'd meet up and hang out tonight. She asked how my day way and I asked how hers was too. She told me that the test took her 45 minutes and the next thing I remember her saying was something to the effect that she started on Monday to which I replied "what?!" Again I heard, I did well enough on the test and I start at Target on Monday! I was amazed, almost speechless. I was very happy for her. She'd been spending some time there and getting to know some people, doing some informational interviews trying to make an impression. Well, she must have. Katie (don't know how to spell her name but we'll differentiate to lessen confusion) must have liked her enough to offer her a freelance imager position next week. 40 hours! And hopefully more after! It was refreshing to hear, and I thought about my chat with the Lord earlier in the day. Claiming that I never saw Him. Well, there He was. Right smack dab in front of my face. I asked that He be obvious. And he was. He is! That was the start...

Right after I hung up with Katy I got a message. Dale Eng, called me back from Bethel about doing BU basketball on the internet again. He said that would probably be a good option and we'd have to talk more about it soon but it sounded promising again.

He continued by saying on a side note...that he knew a guy named Randy Dischinger and was wondering if we were related. Uncle Randy!? He continued by saying he had a good friend in college when he was at Bethel and was wondering if I was related to or knew Emily Dischinger! Emily! He then continued that she wasn't Dischinger anymore but she was a Runyan, who married one of his former college roommates Eric! No kidding!

Who is setting all of this up!? Are you kidding? So after not calling him out of nerves for over a week, I call him, get a response two days later to find out he knows my sister, brother in law and uncle! Amazing. He is around. He works in strange ways but he has made me aware today.

I need Him. I can't do anything without Him. I need to come to God more often. I asked him in my morning devos that He'd show himself to me today in some way. He waited. Not when I was at work. Not at lunch either. Not until I was done with my day did He present himself to me. I was glad he did. That hour of my time I was finally happy again. Finally positive on my outlook about Katy and a career. So happy I called Eric right away and talked to him about it.

Today's TakeAway- If you ask God to do something, don't be surprised if he answers you. Sometimes you might have to look for it, but other times he is as clear in his message as we should strive to be in our communication.