Blessings in Double

It was my art that connected us. She was recently parted from a bad marriage, without a job, and without a home. She was broken and desperately needed encouragement. I told her I would pray. She longed for a calendar but she had no money. To both satisfy her desire and preserve her pride. I gave her my proof copy. She hugged it tightly.

From time to time I would see her in the grocery store. Every time she would remind me to pray for her. She went back to school. It didn’t come easy but she pressed on. She found a minimum wage job and moved into an apartment. Things were looking up but she struggled to pay the rent. By then I had a proof for next year’s calendar. I delivered it to her apartment. On the table lay calendar number one. “I keep it there so I can turn the pages and read it every day,” she told me. She set the next one beside it. “Please pray for me,” she said as I went to leave.

Again I bumped into her at the grocery store, her smile was getting bigger each time I saw her. Her job was more secure and she was given a raise. “Please pray for me,” she grinned.

Several months passed and another calendar year, when I received a message. “How much would it cost to purchase four calendars?” I gave her a deep discount to make it possible. The third calendar was added to the other two on the table. That year I gave her the proof copy of the prayer journal You Heard me Crying For My Son and also the one for a daughter. When I delivered the calendars and journals she introduced me to her new cat. A sparkle was in her eyes that I had never seen before. You could see the hand of God in her life. Little bit by little bit her life was getting better as she claimed the promises.

I didn’t see her again for an entire year.

2020 was a strange year. When Covid began people “lived” on social media. They came together, sang songs and shared pictures. During this time, visits to my website skyrocketed. As spring turned into summer the daily visits returned to what it was before Covid. Then the protests began followed by the race for president. Social media became hostile and many people left. My online sales nearly came to a complete standstill. Last week I found myself in my art room standing by my large stock of calendars and cards. I reminded God that my art is His to do with as He wished. My heart was full of peace as I closed the door behind me. Later that day I received a text message from her. “Can I have five 2021 calendars? What is the total at your regular rate? God has been blessing me and I want to pass some of that blessing to you.” My heart soared, I was seeing God in action in double! As I delivered the five calendars she told me how Covid has been a blessing to her. Her job was now paying equal to that of a nurse’s wage. Then I told her my story. Her eyes danced as I thanked her for listening to God. The days that have followed have continued to be full of surprises, both cancellations of events and unexpected opportunities. However I know without a shadow of doubt God is in control and is forever faithful!

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares about you. -1 Peter 5:7

Calendars can be purchase at shawnawrightart.com/store