One Woman’s Story: Lesson Learned
We receive some of the best comments on our blog! The following was one comment you might have missed that we thought you’d enjoy reading. Our thanks to Diane Vampatella for sharing her story!
When I was a new believer back in college, I learned early on to thank God even when it seemed ridiculous. My wallet was stolen from a team locker room, along with my gym bag and all of my other belongings. A wise man who heard of my plight remarked, “What a wonderful opportunity to trust the Lord!” I was shocked! I was upset and shaken, angry and frustrated – not only were my belongings taken, but now I was going to have to go through the work of canceling bank cards, replacing my license, changing locks…and trying to replace some precious photos that were all in my wallet. Thanking God was not on my list of to do’s at the moment. But this man confidently bowed his head (with some non-believing friends looking on!) and began to thank God for His sovereignty and His goodness, and for the plan He had for me and for the whole situation. I found myself agreeing with him and thanking God for being in control.
That night I got together with a few friends, who introduced me to some of their friends, and I managed to forget about my woes…until the next day, when one of my friend’s friends (whom I had just met) called to tell me that HE HAD FOUND MY WALLET! I had spent the morning going through the trash in the gym, hoping to find the remnants of my wallet, but instead, this young man brought it to me, contents intact (minus the $3 in cash that had been in it). He “just happened” to have been walking along a secluded garden on campus and “just happened” to notice something sticking out from under some brush on the other side of a retaining wall! And he “just happened” to have met me the night before, so he “just happened” to be able to get my phone number. I was as amazed as he was, all at the goodness and the sovereignty of God. What a great lesson that was for me – thank you, Mr. Casey, for modeling for me what it meant to trust and thank God in the midst of unwelcome circumstances! I know that the Lord used that situation to teach me more about Himself and to reveal Himself to others who heard my story.
―Diane Vampatella
