Memorial Box Monday: Take a deep breath

I love Memorial Box Monday!!!! Every week I take a moment to reflect on the big and little things God does in my life. It helps me remember His faithfulness. As I prayed this weekend, I asked God what to share next. Sometime during the night, I woke up remembering this precious moment...

Our trip to China for our sweet Ellie involved lots of planning and packing. Those who know me well, know that I planned and packed meticulously. If I thought we needed it, I packed it. We had clothes for every type of weather and outfits for Ellie in a variety of sizes (all we needed were the 3-6 month clothes). We packed gifts for our guides, all our adoption related paperwork, games for the boys... you name it. We had it. Except...

I have fairly significant seasonal allergies. Once the coughing starts, it lasts for weeks. Rob (my DH is a physician) made sure I had my allergy medicine, antibiotic for sinus infection, vitamins, and more. He packed meds for just about every possibility - from stomach bug to suture needs. The only thing he didn't pack -- and we really don't know why neither of us thought of it -- was an inhaler.

Beijing in the spring is smoggy. While North Carolina springs include a yellow pollen haze, Beijing's springs mean a gray haze from smog. By our third day in Beijing, my lungs had had enough. No matter what I tried, I coughed. And coughed. And coughed. Rob and I lamented the missing inhaler.

Then God...

We were standing at our bus, me coughing and Rob consoling. Suddenly, a new member of our group appeared by my side (she and her husband joined us in Beijing that last day -- we didn't even know each other). She asked what kind of inhaler I used. Then, from her purse, she pulled an inhaler with a Sponge Bob sticker on the side. "Here, take this one." Just like that.

Sometime later, she told me the rest of the amazing story.

As she and her husband left home for China, her son ran to her with the Sponge Bob inhaler. He didn't want her to forget hers. She had already packed an inhaler, but couldn't resist his thoughtfulness, so she thanked him for remembering and tucked the inhaler in her purse.

Thirty-six hours later, she handed it to me.

God knows our needs. He hears our prayers. He takes care of us.

To remember this incredible provision, I am placing an empty inhaler in our Memorial Box. In my heart, I remain thankful to Jenny and her son. :)

Memorial Box Monday started at "A Place Called Simplicity." A friend of mine introduced me to it, and I love it! love it! love it!!! Memorial Box Monday provides an opportunity to remember all the good things God has done. Huge, gigantic things and little things that might seem insignificant. God's word is clear: "Cast every care on Me, for I care for you." (1 Peter 5:7).