Lucky? I don't think so.

Monday night, our family crossed the street in the dark carrying a nearly new disassembled nursery-matching crib after no cash-layout whatsoever. It now sits still disassembled in the old nursery waiting until next week when things kick into high gear in Julia's or maybe-Levi's nursery.

Were we garbage-picking or stealing? How did we come across a crib so close to home and that matches our nursery? Guess we're lucky. Well, I think there's a little too much coincidence to this one to not give credit where credit is due.

Have you ever received an unexpected blessing or "message" from God? As I spoke with a friend yesterday, there are major revelations and then there are whisperings. As she put it, take the burning bush for example. That's a 1 on the "you know God's speaking" scale, whereas perhaps a beautiful sunset could be a 10. Well, I think it may be fair to say the pregnancy, in of itself, is easily a 2 or 3. I'd rate the crib experience about a 6 or 7. Here's how the story goes:

At about 12 weeks gestation, I went to a baby store to register--just to see what was out there since the last time I needed to buy this sorta stuff over 10 years ago. And I was in major sticker shock. From what I could tell, all items we needed would be big ticket items (as shower-attending folk call them), which had me a bit worried. I did pick a crib, just so I had one that I liked in mind and an approximate price comparison point. Mom offered to help me buy it on the spot, as it was a discontinued model (one thing that put it in a decent price range). I declined. Not really feeling pregnant enough to begin buying things (and, honestly, still a little skeptical that the pregnancy was going full-term). Shortly after picking some of these essentials, a friend offered to loan me several baby items, and I've had a few others offered and given to me.

We've been looking at garage sales for the remainder of items we needed, particularly a crib. Found one several weeks ago and called Rog about it. He thought we should hold off, so I did.

Over this past weekend, a piece of Mariah's braces fell off, but I was able to remedy it enough to hold of until Mon. I had planned to switch my work days anyway this week due to a Tue. meeting, so I was off to take her to the orthodontist after school. I had a bill I needed to pay to the nearby dentist, so I grabbed it thinking the weather was nice and we'd just walk there after the orthodontist visit rather than mailing it. So we walked in and the receptionist was my neighbor (I've seen her there once or twice). As I paid the bill, Ri was rifling through a basket of free toothpaste samples and my neighbor offered some to me, which I declined, saying that flavor makes me sick now that I'm pregnant. She had not known I was pregnant and seemed very pleased, sharing some stories about her grandchildren. Then she noted that it was likely that I did not have much baby stuff around still and asked if I had a baby bed yet. Of course, my answer was "Not yet." Then she told me that she would give me one as she had two, even though a grandbaby was due to be born today. She would not take payment, as she had just gotten it out of storage and was about to get rid of it anyway as her daughter-in-law was listing some baby things on Craigslist. She then offered for us to come over that evening when Roger got home to get it, which we did. I will post a picture of it once we get it set up.

Now, I ask you, what are the odds that this would happen? Being off Monday, when she works, and deciding on a whim to stop in and pay the bill ... for the discussion to come up about pregnancy and for her to have the crib ready to go disassembled in her house, etc.?

Now, the average person might just chalk it up to coincidence, but I know better. I've come to the conclusion that we all too often overlook such "whispers" or even more. So what number did God give you today? Yesterday, he gave me and my friend the smell of rain and wet leaves at the very least, and our wonderful conversation. Draw near, seek, and find, my friends.