Steve has had issues with his back for the last ten years, which at times are debilitating. As a result, he needs solid lumbar support in any chair he sits in for more than a few minutes. Being in full-time ministry, there is not much money left for extras. We purchased a good office chair for Steve, and in the evenings, when we spend time together, he rolls that chair into the living room, as our other furniture does not provide enough support. However, that solution was no longer effective, as he required even more support. He finally told me that we needed to start looking for a used recliner for the living room.
This is where being friends of Jesus comes in. Anything decent was going to cost around $1,000, which was more than we could afford. I figured we could spend no more than $300. I watched Facebook Marketplace, looking within a 30-mile radius, for a few months, but found nothing that looked workable.
Just when Steve said he couldn’t take it anymore and we needed to do something, I went online one more time and expanded the search area to 60 miles. And bingo, like it was listed in neon letters with Steve’s name on it, was a stressless gravity recliner. The chair had just been discounted from $500 to $400, indicating it had been listed for some time. I could not believe what I was reading.
The Stressless brand is from Norway, and its chairs typically range in price from $ 3,000 to $4,000 each. When you spend 20 minutes a day in zero gravity, it can be very restorative for back issues. I could not believe my eyes. I said a quick prayer, felt an overwhelming sense of peace, and reached out to Stephanie, the seller, to see if she would consider $300. After all, we would need to pay for gas and possibly a U-Haul to pick up this chair.
After a few days with no response, I reached out again. I knew in my heart this was our chair. I looked at other chairs but told Steve I was sure this was the one. Eventually, Stephanie got back to me. She would take our offer. She was very kind and helpful. We arranged to pick up the chair that weekend.
When we arrived at Stephanie’s house, we saw the chair in person. She still had it connected to the electric so Steve could test it. I wish you could have seen Steve’s face when his butt hit that chair. Before he had even reclined, he knew this chair was designed for him.
As we heard the story of the chair, it was purchased for a woman with dementia who resided in a personal care home, and she refused to use it. So, it was practically brand new. And although we were willing to purchase any chair that could blend with our current dark brown leather couch, that was not ok for Jesus. He made sure that we would have a perfect match.
And I always want to give glory to God in whatever we do, so I asked Stephanie and her mother if they were people of faith. They both said yes, they were Christians. So, I was able to share that this chair was such a blessing from God that we call it a God kiss. And that I was grateful that they were a part of his plan to bless us.
Stephanie is disabled due to significant spine issues and experiences quite a bit of pain daily. With my daily health challenges, I could understand some of the challenges that come, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. I asked to pray for her, and she agreed. And God poured out a beautiful prayer for his discouraged daughter.
As Steve and I drove away, we marveled at the way God works. Steve said, “How was the chair still available? You would have thought it would have been snatched up in minutes!” I laughed and said, ‘ Because God picked out that chair for us and probably blinded the eyes of anyone who would have been interested. ‘ He wanted to bless us, but he also wanted to bless Stephanie and her mother.
I often struggle to trust God with our finances. But he shows up so faithfully and often blows my mind by providing more than I could have even imagined asking. I am so glad to have a friend in Jesus, as the hymn goes.
And that’s the mid-week memo.
Colleen
