Double Blessing

My beloved and amazing Surface Pro 2 computer was doing a very naughty thing. I would plug it in at night to charge it, and then notice in the morning the charging light was off but the computer was only half charged. The light would flicker off in an hour, and if I toggled it, it came back on, but it was obviously not functioning as it should. So I went online to the Microsoft help center and an online chat representative quickly greeted me, cheerily asking how she could help. I explained the problem.

"I am so sorry!" she wrote, as though it were her fault, "I imagine that must be very frustrating, but we will take care of it."
"Great!"
"Can you try plugging in a different charger so we can trouble-shoot?"
"I don't have another charger," I wrote. (Extra cords are $50, and I always wanted an extra one to keep in the computer bag, but couldn't justify the cost.).
"No problem," she said, "I am pretty sure the issue is the charger, so we will send you one free right now. And no need to return the old one."

That was wonderful! While the other cord wasn't working great, it did charge if I toggled it. Now it could be my emergency travel cord! I plugged the computer in to charge it last night with the old cord, since the new had not yet arrived. I was happy in the knowledge that even if I had to toggle it, it would eventually charge, and soon I would have the second cord.

It charged all night, no toggling necessary, full charge. 

I will now have two working cords, just like I wanted. I certainly hadn't complained or asked God for another one. And yet, He gave it to me anyway. (Yes, scoffers, I know He used Microsoft to complete the miracle, but nonetheless, I know from whom my blessings flow.)

I love these little messages from God. Sometimes we think things are broken beyond repair. Maybe it is a relationship, a character issue, a life circumstance...and then God steps in. Perhaps it is only broken for a season, and for a reason. If we can weather the time of trouble, we may emerge doubly blessed. The Bible is filled with examples. Job lost everything but then received double what he had had. Barren Hannah prayed for a child and after she got one (Samuel), she gave him to the Lord to be raised in Eli's temple. How bereft she must have felt but later, she was blessed with many more children. The widow gave her last piece of food to Elijah, and then was miraculously provided with enough food for a lifetime. In every case, the person trusted God, leaned on His presence, and received lavish and overflowing blessing.

I thought my cord was broken...and it was. But now, out of the abundance of blessing, I have two working cords! It will be good to remember this lovely gift from God in the midst of struggle.
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PS- My new book, The Bark of the Covenant, is on a five day 99 cent promo. I am praying sales go viral, and the two cords are prophetic. If you would like to assist in this miracle, you can purchase the book at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LNA7T4G . I would not be at all upset if you wanted to share the link with all your friends.
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Jacob said, “Come, let us go up to Bethel, that I may make an altar there to the God who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” Genesis 35:3

One of the lepers, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. Luke 17:15-16

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

Philippians 4:12-13

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Proverbs 24:10 

If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

1 Peter 5:10

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.