All For the Love of This:

After a quick shower & a 10 minute drive to town, I pulled into the Wal-Mart parking lot.
There were quite a number of available spots right in front due to the fact it was 8:30 a.m.
I got Mack situated in the cart, grabbed his favorite little toy/teether thing & made my way into the store.
The cart was almost full & I suddenly realized that the toy was missing.
UGH.
I back-tracked and made my way down all the aisles we had cruised through.
No toy.
I went to the customer service counter and asked if any toys have been turned in.
No toy.

My heart was heavy.
I know for a fact that I have more attachment to the toy then Mack does.
I'm not really sure why, but I've always loved this litte colorful ball shaped thing... and can't imagine not having it.

Maybe I had dreamed putting it in the cart.
Maybe it was still out in the car.
I continued to shop, but couldn't stop "searching" for the toy.
I payed for my groceries.
I opened the car door.
No toy.

Again, I felt sick to my stomach, but what could I do??... reminder to self... it's just a toy.
I put Mack in his car seat.
I put the groceries in the back.
I left.
Approximately 1.5 miles, I realized that I forgot the pull-ups.
Ugh.
They were the real reason I had gone in the first place. (figures doesn't it?!)

Do I go back or do I send Ian to the store later? (um... seriously?!)

I quickly turned around.
The parking lot was not near as empty as I had found it earlier.
I was dreading the crowd & the lines.

I found another close parking spot. (Thank you Lord)

A man parked next to me gave me his cart. (Thank you Lord)

I made my way to the back of the store & suddenly remembered that I had forgotten the paper towels on my list as well.
I made a sharp right, and headed down the aisle.

Something caught my eye.

The toy.
The colorful ball that I've grown to love, was just barely sticking out from under a shelf.

My heart sang with joy. (Thank you Lord!)

That toy, that little thing, that object that God used to speak to me, was found.

No longer lost.
Found.

**Thank you Lord for sending me back into that store at just the right time & to just the right place. I continue to be amazed by your timing and grace.