God Always Has a Backup Plan

This doesn't happen every day, yet today it did. 

Calvin needed another pair of clear prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses so he'd have backup eyeglasses before college starts next month, so off we went to the optometrist. From there, we proceeded to the Costco eyewear kiosk.

With only two attendants present, and both were helping customers, I helped Calvin try on several eyewear styles on the display shelves. 

A few more customers arrived. Calvin and I probably spent a good fifteen to twenty minutes busying ourselves as we waited for our turn. And there he found just the exact frame he was looking for—the DuraFlex. It was time to proceed to one of the registers to indicate that we were ready when they were. It should be our turn next, or so I thought. 

My face lit up when an attendant approached us, but it dimmed just as soon as she asked for the number I got. I didn't quite understood what she meant by it until she pointed to the number dispenser sitting on the counter behind her.

It was pretty embarrassing alright that I didn't know the drill, but the thought of wanting to kick myself for failing to notice the ticket dispenser before perusing the store display was the more dominating of the two. 

She turned around and took a number for me since it was within her reach. I got #61. Yay? Nope. And that was because the next customer in the queue was #54. Call it their store policy, and she was just doing her job, or the others would complain if she'd help us next even if we got there first.

For the first time, #61 wasn't a fun number. At the rate that they were helping customers, I could look to wait for another hour—easily. And, it was close to 7 PM already.

To my joy, customer #54 wasn't there, and then neither was customer #55. Woohoo! But then, customer #56 was there, which was alright. She was already there when we walked in. It was okay that she got helped before us.

Three customers down. Five more to go, yet no reason to get happy. Couldn't do anything but kill time, so I walked to the other side of the counter to check on the display there. I realized that I missed that side of the kiosk. This is why, if first what we did was checked out that area, I would've noticed the ticket dispenser because it was just there.

Anyway, uncanny as it was, I had to approach this woman who stood not far from the number dispenser. It is not often that I start a conversation with a stranger, but that day, I did. I broke the ice by explaining my disappointment in myself. Yikes. 

I couldn't believe it when she asked me if I wanted one of the numbers she had. Wait, what? She had two? Why, when all she needed was just one?

It turned out to be that there was a number sitting by the machine when she walked to it. She thought somebody had changed their mind and left the number on there. It was #57. She got #58. 

She handed me #58. Imagine my happiness! So, from four more customers in front of me, down to just one. Oooh-la-la! I thanked her—repeatedly.

I find this very interesting—with the other customer leaving the ticket behind when it could've been just tossed in the trash, or kept in the pocket, which is what I would've done. And, for this other customer to keep the ticket. The only thing I could think of is that God knew I could use it. 

Conclusion: In under five minutes, our turn came. Sweet! God is looking out for me, every chance He gets.🙏🏼 The good news is that He is doing the same for you, too. 

Now is your turn to share your stories ingrained with a heavenly touch. Shoot me a message, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Many blessings!