Have you been in a situation where you thought, “Did that just happen?” My mom and I experienced that years ago at a flea market.
It started out as a typical Sunday afternoon. First, we attended church and then we all ate lunch at my grandparent’s house. After we cleaned Mamaw Jo’s kitchen she announced, “I’d like to go to that big flea market in Sweetwater.” So, we ladies piled into Mamaw’s minivan and headed that way. To be honest, I really wasn’t into flea markets, but I did like this one. It had some vendors with very unique handcrafted items that you couldn’t find anywhere else.
At this time, my daughter Sara was around nine years old. While at the flea market she told us, “I’d like to have a balloon.” We hadn’t seen anybody selling balloons anywhere. But Sara persisted, “I really would love to have a balloon.”
Mamaw Jo stayed where she was while mom, Sara, and I walked around the flea market in search of balloons. I mean we walked all over that place. We didn’t see any balloons anywhere, but we kept going. I remember walking by the same vendors two and even three times. Some of them looked at us like they thought we were crazy. Some asked us, “Are you all looking for anything in particular?” We would tell them we were looking for balloons and did they know where we could buy one. They would just shake their heads and say, “No. Sorry.” Some vendors would add, “But I have a great deal if you’re interested.” We even asked people that we passed by. At least they didn’t try to sell us something.
After what seemed like hours, we came to a stop. We were all tired and frustrated. I told Sara, “I’m sorry, but there are just no balloons here.” My mom added, “On the way back home, we’ll stop somewhere and get you one.” Sara sighed and lowered her head.
At that exact second, a young boy walked up to us. I will give you guess as to what was in his hand. Yep, a balloon. A big red balloon. He promptly handed it to her and said, “A pretty balloon for a pretty girl.”
Naturally, we thanked the young boy. He shrugged and scampered off. That’s when mom and I looked at each other and asked, “How did that happen?”
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3: 5 (KJV)
The only thing I can say with any certainty is that God had orchestrated that to happen. Often, I have wondered if He did it to show us that if He will work in small ways, imagine what he can do in big ways if we let Him. Listen, you don’t have to understand how or why He does anything. You just have to trust Him.
I will give God credit for one more small thing. I am grateful there weren’t any bugs flying around us. You see, our mouths dropped open the moment the little boy came up to us and gave Sara the balloon.
Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.