The First Miracle

Hey Guys and Dolls!

Here is miracle one, like I promised.

     I used to live in Florida in a tiny town outside of Gainesville called Keystone Heights.
My life was in a state of flux back then (come to think of it, it's always in a state of flux,
but I digress.)  At any rate, it was time for another move.  My job at the University of
Florida had quickly run its course into a dead end.  I had a great title, a low salary and
there was no hope of promotion unless somebody died.  I was a Labor Relations
Representative, which meant that I would assist management and tell them how to get
rid of a problem employee.  As is often the case, the problem person was the manager,
not the employee. But that was irrelevant, it was up to me to stand up for the University.
That being the case, it was time to move on.

   
     My wife at the time had moved to the frozen north about a week ahead of me while
I wrapped up things at the old house.  I was having a yard sale with a ton of our belongings.
Darn near everything sold throughout the day, and it was good.  But there was one thing.

     I needed exactly 25 dollars more to cover all the expenses that I had projected we would
incur for the trip.  I had it figured out almost down to the penny.  I looked around at all the
items that we had left. There were a lot of 1 to 5 dollar items, but jutting out among them
were a cheap set of bunk beds and my all time favorite grill, the Weber kettle.  It was now
five o'clock on a Saturday.  Pretty late for a yard sale, it was seriously winding down; it
was white knuckle time.

     All of a sudden my phone rang. It was a guy who had seen my "yard sale" sign and
called me to find out if I happened to have any bunk beds. "Yes, I said. "I do."
He said "Great I'll be over there in about 15 minutes."  "I'll see you then." I said.
Fifteen minutes went by, then 20, then 30.  I looked up to the sky and prayed "Dear
Lord, please let that guy show up.  I know I don't deserve it but I'm asking in Jesus'
name.  Amen."  Immediately, I heard the sound of an engine coming up the hill.  Could
this possibly be him?

     A raggedy old pick up came through the clearing, pulled up right in front of me, the
engine coughed to a stop and a man got out.  He was raggedly unshaven, had a dirty
ball cap on his head, and needed a haircut.  He said "How much ya want fer them
bunk beds?" My heart leapt! It was him!  "25 dollars." I said, hopefully.  "I'll take 'em
he said.

     As I helped him load the beds I happily remarked "I wasn't sure you were coming."

     "What do you mean?" he asked quizzically.
 
     "Oh, weren't you the guy that called?" I asked, bewildered.
 
     He took off his hat and scratched his head all in one motion.  "You know, it's funny"
he drawled."  I wasn't even going to go home this way, but something told me to come
down this road.  I've been looking and looking for a set of bunk beds for my grandchildren
for when they come to visit and stay the weekend.  I saw your yard sale sign at the bottom
of the hill so I swung up here on the off chance that you might have bunk beds."

     Chills rose up on my body.  Gratitude filled me.  I was in a state
of shock.  Tears overflowed my eyes as I packed up the rest of my belongings and
thankful prayers came out with them.