Not My Plan

Funny how God works sometimes....I started heading toward the HEB checkout closest to the produce department (and my SUV) and one of the ever helpful employees redirected my to an empty express lane--at the far end of the checkout lines. Out of my way, but my knees are still good after my recent steroid shots, so I only grumbled a little bit under my breath.  "Besides," I told myself, "the extra walking is good for me." 

At the HEB checkout I realized I left my wallet in the SUV--parked on the other side of the parking lot.  I left my purchases at the register and took the mini cart to put it away, so another customer would be able to use it--they are always in great demand. Again, I only grumbled a little bit. 

Exiting HEB, by the door closest to the express lane That had been my original destination, I saw only one other mini cart was in the area--and it was turned the "wrong" way.  I grumbled under my breath about inconsiderate people making extra work for the employees by not taking the 2-seconds it would have taken to turn the cart around.  I slid my cart into it and started to turn them both the "right" way when I noticed the other cart had more silver at the handle. 

You guessed it--Someone had left their wallet. 

Turning around, I looked for the owner, but everyone was either male (don't judge my stereotypical thinking--that ladies wallet could have belonged to anyone, but statistically speaking, the odds were better for it belonging to a female), or they were empty-handed and going inside. Again, statistically speaking, the odds were greatest that the person who left their wallet had done so on their way out--likely with hands full of purchases. As quickly as those mini baskets get snapped up, I was sure they had just left. 

My dilemma:  I still needed to make it out to my SUV to get MY wallet, so I could hike back to the far express lane and pay for my stuff--but, If I did that before I turned the wallet in, the owner might walk past me. So, once again, I changed direction and went back inside.  

I found an employee and asked for the Manager (the Service Desk where I normally turn lost objects in was swamped). The employee wanted to know "what department" Manager I wanted. I told her any would do. 

A young man looking to be about 12 years of age (they get younger looking every day) introduced himself as one of the Managers, asked a bunch of questions, and took the wallet. Then, I finally made it to my SUV to get MY wallet and once again trudged back in to pay for my groceries. I grumbled a little bit less because I was doing my good deed. 

The point is, even though it was not MY plan, had I not been directed to the express lane farthest away from my destination, it likely would not have been me that found the wallet. It could have been someone equally as honest--or it could have been someone that would use the situation to their advantage. I will probably never know if the wallet and owner are reunited, and that's okay. 

I did what I was meant to do. 

The bottom line of this afternoons HEB "sermon" is this:  Stop grumbling when your plan and Gods plan don't seem to be the same--God has us in specific places, at specific times, for a reason.