And Your Joy Will Be Complete

For the last two weeks, I have been planning the Christmas program for the church with much excitement and anticipation. Unfortunately, the church has no costumes, so yesterday I went around to the different stores that sold Halloween costumes to see if I could buy angel costumes. To my dismay, everywhere I went the angel costumes were sold out. Finally, I asked a worker in one of the stores about it. She told me that a Children's Pastor bought them all and has been to all the Value Villages in the Edmonton area to collect as many as he could. (Value Village has the best angel costumes for the lowest price.)

When I got home, I was discouraged. Then I thought, "I know! I'll call the Value Village in Red Deer. It is almost two hours away. I am sure that Pastor didn't travel there."

Wrong! I then wondered (with a bit of jealousy), "How big is this man's children's program?!"

As I sat in my bedroom brooding and complaining to God (I am not much better than the Israelites), God spoke to me. He told me to try Kamloops, BC. My first thought was, "God, are You crazy! I am not travelling ten hours (and that's just one way) to get some angel costumes!"

Then God patiently reminded me that Brian's parents are coming up in a week for a visit. My tune suddenly changed, "Oh, God, that's a great idea!"

With great eagerness, I phoned Value Village in Kamloops and the lady who answered told me the store has lots of angel costumes in every size. Joyously, I then phoned my father-law in Logan Lake. He told me that he would be glad to go pick them up for me. He and his wife were planning on going to Kamloops today. "Wow!"

Just like the Bible says, when I finally asked God, I received, and now my joy is complete.

"Until now you have not asked

for anything in My Name.

Ask and you will receive,

and your joy will be complete."

John 16:24 (NIV)