Wonderful and Strange at the Furniture Counter

Yesterday, I went to American Furniture Warehouse to stroll through and get some ideas for the dining room I’ve never had and the bedroom I’m about to move into.

I chose the most beautiful bed. Wrought iron frame, artistic canopy over the top (don’t think pink, fluffy canopy; think contemporary bends and twists of wrought iron), colorful splashy pillows.

What struck my attention, however, was something resembling an industrial rolling ladder (which can be found online at www.platformsandladders.com/rolling-ladders/). For a few minutes, I stared at it and imagined how I would decorate it if I were to buy it. Besides serving as a ladder, I could also use it as a plant stand or bookshelf. Honestly, I was quite intrigued by the design and structure, but I refrained from purchasing it. Possibly, I’ll reconsider sometime in the future.

The truth is, I think I was not the only one in the shop who was enjoying himself (looking at different pieces of furniture). I think Sue also felt happy. However, her reason might have been different. Sue, the sales associate, was pretty glad because I came to the shop (I think so).

We stood at the transaction counter, as she plugged my inventory into her computer. A picture popped up of the new, luxurious bed.

“Oh, my. That’s so lovely,” she said.

“Thank you. It’s a pretty important decision to me. It represents so much more than a purchase or a new decorative item.”

I gave her the Reader’s Digest version of my story, briefly explaining why a new bed is another piece of new life for me.

She reached for my hand. “Oh, my. So the Lord has carried you.”

Ah, a name we both understand, I see. “Yes, he sure has.”

“You’re a believer,” she told me. “I knew it.” Then she paused, marked the spot where she would stop, and set down her pen and glasses. She leaned across the counter and spoke in hushed tones. “I need to say this to you right now. I know I need to.”

Here eye contact was so intentional, so intense. She took both my hands in hers.

She said, “This will be a year of favor for you. I know it will. These words are in my mind right now, and I need to say them out loud: ‘Remember not the things of the past, but behold, I am doing a new thing. Do you not perceive it?’ Tricia, the battle you’ve been fighting is almost over. It will not last forever, and it will end this year. God is doing a new thing. This is your year of favor. I bless you in the name of Jesus. Big things are going to happen to you this year, Tricia. You can expect it. Expect big things.”

Well, wow. I’m pretty sure this sales associate just spoke a blessing over me, perhaps even a prophesy, in a furniture warehouse during what I thought was a chance meeting based on commission.

She was so peaceful and the moment was so still. It’s the kind of story that is perfectly beautiful in the moment and oddly strange in the retelling.

“I receive that,” I said to her. “And can you say it again? I want to hear it again.”

“Remember not the things of the past, Tricia. Behold, he is doing a new thing. This is your year of favor. Expect big things.”

I believe I will. And I’ll write it down. Sue, the sales associate, said it would happen.

We shall see.

(I love wonderful, strange things that otherwise make no sense. This one goes on the list.)