Unexpected Blessings

What do you do with unexpected money?

I know, I know, “unexpected” and “money” don’t usually belong in the same sentence. But every once in a while it happens. Money we weren’t expecting just “happens” to find its way to us.

My first inclination, should money just “happen” to float in my direction, would be to head straight to Nordstrom and spread the wealth. (I usually have a pretty long Nordstrom wish list going on in my head.)

Hardly ever do I think about giving it away. Giving is my husband’s spiritual gift, not mine.

A couple of years ago I came into some unexpected money after speaking at a women’s retreat. I was thrilled to be asked to speak at this retreat and, being new to the speaking thing, I did not give any thought to getting paid. But when the event ended, the woman in charge handed me an envelope. With a check in it! A check that I did not expect.

I thought about that check while I drove home from the retreat. The fun I could have with that money! I must have spent it a dozen different ways in the short time it took me to drive home.

But somewhere between here and there, God started to nudge me: Shelly, what could you do with that money that you weren’t expecting?

Well, Lord, there’s this really cute pair of shoes . . .

No, not shoes.

How about a coat? It’s getting colder and my winter coat is looking pretty ratty.

No, not a coat.

What then?

What if you gave it away?

Before I got home, I had realized a few things. One: I wasn’t expecting the money. Two: the money wasn’t really mine in the first place. Three: I could experience lasting joy by giving it away, rather than spending it on shoes that I probably wouldn’t be wearing today.

By the time I pulled into my driveway I had made a decision: I would sponsor a Compassion child for one year with the money I received from the women’s retreat.

I’ll continue my story tomorrow, but for now, I want you to know that several bloggers, including my friend Maggie/Gussy who saved me a seat on a Southwest flight one time, are in Tanzania with Compassion this week. You can check out their posts here.

And if you have found some money that you weren’t expecting, why don’t you consider sponsoring a child, too? You can sponsor a child by clicking on the picture above.

So tell me. Have you ever found unexpected money? What did you do with it? (Don't be ashamed to share--like I said, I'd normally go shopping!) Leave me a comment and let me know.