The Miracle of the Swimsuit

This is what my swimsuit looks like... minus the fish. I needed a little divine intervention... and God knew it.

    I've got a music/ministry tour shaping up in San Diego and Phoenix. The woman responsible for the dates in Arizona called and asked if we would be at all interested in staying at the Arizona Grand Resort while we're there.

    Hmm... let's see... a seven acre water park... with slides, a wave pool and a lazy river, award winning food, golf... which I don't know anything about, a spa, warm weather, and a nature preserve? "Yes, I said, That will be just fine."

    Then I remembered my swimsuit situation. We live in Oregon and rarely vacation. I haven't bought a new swimsuit for about fifteen years. The one I've got is fine for the place I visit most which is southern Oaxaca, where out of respect for the culture, I cover up with a t-shirt and shorts anyway. All covered up like that you can't even tell that the elastic is crumbling or that the back has drooped a little lower than appropriate. Now, with the possibility of being seen and the likely hood of my daughter being seen with me... I had to do something. So I set out for the mall.

    God knows I'm not big on shopping. I said a little prayer on the way that went like this...

    "Lord, I'll go in through Sears and out through Burlington Coat Factory... I really don't want to go anywhere else. If I find something reasonably priced... and in my size... I'll buy it. If not... I'll go with what I've got."
   
    Trusting in His provision... I knew with or without a new swimsuit... I was going to be okay. So I parked and went in. I asked the first clerk I could find if there was anything left this season as far as swimwear was concerned.

    "Ohhhhh, she said, as she touched her chin. I think there are still a couple of things hanging over there, as she pointed to a sorry forgotten rack in the corner, but it's pretty much all gone. It's almost Fall."  As though I didn't know that.

    I humbly strolled over to check it out. There was one black swimming skort (a skirt and shorts combined) hanging all by itself. It was actually in my size and only $9.98! I prayed that my exit through Burlington Coat Factory might actually provide something for me to wear with it. I knew it was a long shot... but finding that skort was miracle enough for me. So I paid for it in faith and walked on.

    I entered Burlington Coat Factory and asked the same question I had asked at Sears. I got a very similar answer. This time though I found the sorry rack of what was left under the escalator. There it was... a Perry Ellis tanquini, black and white and IN MY SIZE! The price tag read, $9.98! I could hardly contain myself.

    I really do think this was a miracle. God knew I was too late in the season but He also knew exactly when I would be there looking. He also met our budgetary needs. Perhaps most importantly...  He spared my daughter and the poolside population of the Arizona Grand Resort the misery of my ratty old swimsuit. and me in it.

    On behalf of everyone... Thank You, God.

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