God's Got a Garbage Can for You

I never much cared for journaling and after reading the title above perhaps you are thinking, "Sarah, stop while you are ahead." My first post will hopefully give you an idea of where I'm heading and perhaps even sway your opinion.

Over the years, I've considered how I remember God's work in my life. Think of the story of Joshua and the Israelites crossing the Jordan River into the promised land. Twelve representatives of the tribes took stones from the middle of the riverbed and placed them on the bank (Joshua 4:8-9) as a reminder of God's provision and power, as well as their own journey into promise. Likewise, the prophet Samuel set up the stone Ebenezer to commemorate Israel's repentance and God's deliverance from the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:2 , 12-13). This blog will be a record of all those events in my life - small to great, pebbles to plinths, miniscule to monumental. And here's the first:

I found myself at the local hausrat (houseware store) earlier this week, eagerly awaiting it's opening. You see, I had spotted a garbage can when I first arrived that I had my eye on. It would fit perfectly into a little nook in my kitchen. The owner kindly opened the door and guided me up to the second floor where exactly one of the most wonderful refuse recepticles remained. I brought it downstairs, successfully used my German bank card for the first time (hallelujah!), then carried it home, smiling the whole way.

You may ask, "Why would such a thing make you so happy?" The fact of the matter is simple. My heart sings when things are orderly and this garbage can made me feel like my new life was finally settling into a pattern. The three sorting containers inside hold trash, compost and gelbe (the german equivalent of the canadian blue bin). Everything had a place. It gave me a sense of home.

The best part is that God knew specifically what I needed. For someone else, it would have been different: a piece of artwork, a caring neighbour, a park for the kids, any number of things... in my journey it happens to be a garbage can. I hope as I take time to record special moments along the way, you will join me, searching for your own pebbles to mark the path of his faithfulness in your life. God's got a garbage can for you, a special blessing each day to let you know you are home safe in his arms!