God’s Take on the iPhone

So two weeks ago I did something crazy. Something spontaneous. Something very unexpected even to myself!

I bought an iPhone.

Really Nicole, that’s your idea of spontaneity? :/

Well, yes. Because anyone who knows me knows how super cheap FRUGAL I am. This is the girl who switched up on her cell phone service provider after 10 years of loyalty simply b/c smartphones made it on the scene and the plans they offered were pricey. So I opted for the “dumb phone” on the pre-paid plan, and didn’t care if I couldn’t check my email. Or update my FB status.

Or text with uncompromising ease on a sleek and beautiful touch screen.

Until one day, I did care. And I got a smart phone. But it was faulty and hardly worth the trouble I put into getting it to work. But then I was hooked and knew I needed a REAL smartphone. So I got a really good deal that I couldn’t turn my back on and found myself the owner of the iPhone 6.

I stared in wonder at this magnificent device. The one I had seen on all the commercials that I never paid attention too. The one my friends had and were savvy at using. The one I never thought I would get b/c it’s just not my personality to get into the “latest and greatest”.

I wondered at myself. Who was this type A, frugal, woman who just purchased an iPhone spontaneously?!?! And I heard Holy Spirit. He said although my intention was to be a good steward of my finances by denying myself certain financial indulgences, often I was being too controlling. I think He was actually calling me a control freak. But He’s so kind it didn’t come to me at all as an insult. More like a revelation. I still have a hard time receiving that message but I suspect it is possibly true…

So I have this really fun phone that is fast and easy to use and looks really cute with my outfits (b/c that’s important). Fast forward a week and I’m in the store with my mom doing some shopping for our trip to Vegas for Thanksgiving (her idea, so random). Now, I had just had my phone out and was thinking of putting it in my coat pocket but was too nervous it would fall out or something and decided to put it in my purse instead. I make my way to the bathroom and overhear a conversation between a young woman with a baby and the customer service rep behind the returns desk. The woman is sharing that she lost her iPhone! “I just got that phone! My husband is going to kill me!” she says, all the while searching her pockets and going through bags and the baby’s stroller repeatedly. The rep is sharing that he will let her know if anyone returns it to the desk. I am already praying. My heart goes out to this woman. “I thought I put it in my pocket but it’s not there!” she says. Now I’m thinking about how I was going to put mine in my pocket and am so glad I did not! So I go up to the woman, asking her questions, trying to help her retrace her steps. I’m getting the feeling she put it down somewhere while picking up merchandise but she is adamant she did not. After a few minutes I could see that my prompting was not helping her as she was too frantic to even concentrate. I made my way to the bathroom and prayed for that woman. Later on in the store we crossed paths again and she shared she still hadn’t found it and she was suspicious someone pick-pocketed her. “I’m praying for you!” I told her. She gave me a funny look and made her way down the aisle in the opposite direction. It is very unusual for me to be so open with my faith to a perfect stranger, but for some reason I felt led to do so. 15 minutes later I have my box of new boots in my hand that my mom is generous enough to purchase for me and we make our way in line. Who do I see but the woman again? And she looks at me, beaming. “I found it!” she calls out to me. “It was laying right here!” she says and points to the top of some merchandise. “And no one took it!” She was in awe. She goes on to say how it makes no sense that it was there b/c she didn’t put it there. “Answered prayer!” I say to her with confidence and gratefulness to the Lord. “Yes!” she says a little awkwardly. “Thank you Lord”.

I knew that God was doing something with that woman whether she realized it or not. I knew He was using that situation to show her that she could come to Him even for things as seemingly minor as losing a phone. That He is a God who cares. Not just about the “big” things in our lives, but even the ordinary. And I knew He was using my spontaneous purchase of this phone to give me empathy for this woman and maybe confirm that He will provide for my fun new toy.

He is truly in the midst of all things.

Check out how great the camera is on this thing!!!

SHALOM