Memorial Box Monday: One Rainy Chicago Night

Its time to remember the wonderful works of the Lord!!! For those of you who are unfamiliar with Memorial Box Monday, please visit Linny's blog over at aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com. You know what, just go visit her anyway, her blog is inspiring and blesses so many people... including me!

And so begins my first Memorial Box Monday story...

One rainy night in Chicago, I was walking through the streets with my newly found friend, Joel. We often had adventures together such as the one you are about to read... and they still continue today. I am blessed to now call him my husband. Anyway...

Joel and I had just gotten off the train and it was already dark in the city. And it. was. pouring. I wasn't sure how long my snow jacket would hold out the rain and my jacket did not have a hood. Uh-oh. I think I may have had a scarf which I quickly covered my head with. We strolled along together, not going anywhere in particular, but just listening and seeking what the Lord would have us do. (Another of our favorite pastimes... maybe more on that at another time. ***Note: this practice has led to some interesting situations as well as some divinely blessed situations. Never a dull moment.)

Well, our strolling was beginning to become tedious. And I was hungry. I prayed that around the next corner there would be a place to eat. Mind you, the streets were deserted (probably the weather and time of day). Did I mention it was pouring? We turned the corner and....

No, it was just a Very long sidewalk lined by the thick cement wall of a Very tall building. No doors, windows, and definitely no restaurants. I almost cried. I prayed, "Lord, You know I'm hungry. Please do something!" I also realized neither of us had much money.

As we continued down the Very long sidewalk, all I could see was the cement of the sidewalk and building, the pavement of the road, and the constant rain. Off to my left, suddenly, something caught my eye. It was a paper lunch bag. I don't know why, but I picked it up. As I opened it and looked inside, I felt my excitement growing. "Joel, look!"

Inside the lunch bag was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich cut in half diagonally (just how I like it!) and three chocolate chip cookies (my favorite!) The bag was totally drenched - it had been raining for hours - but the sandwich and cookies were completely dry!!! Yay, JESUS!

What do you think we did? We took our treasure, headed across the street to a park we just realized was there, and gave thanks. We danced in the rain and jumped off cement half-walls in our giddiness - God had provided for us food when we were hungry.

That was the best sandwich and cookies I have ever had. Praise the Lord!

Brittany