I started this morning with a dilemma. We have some relatives coming over today and I plan on grilling for them. The problem is my 8yr old grill has completely fallen apart this summer…broken handle, rusted burners, no lighter, etc. This may seem like a pretty small deal with an easy solution, but I have a tendency to ‘sweat the petty things’ in life which makes it hard to decide what to do especially with meaningless (but a semi-necessary thing) like a gas grill.
I get very philosophical and depressed from thinking about things like this. It makes me jealous of people that just go out, make a decision and not even give it a second thought. I go back and forth…wondering how this decision will matter for eternity. Seriously.
So, I spent an hour this morning checking adds for sales at big-box stores, Craig’s list, hardware stores, etc. looking for the answer. Should I buy parts to fix the grill for about $75 or buy a new Weber grill for $750? The added problem is that I don’t have an “emergency fund” for a grill.
I finally decided that my son Joey and I would just drive to Menards and see what we could find. On the way there, I went a little “Joel Osteen” and asked Joey to pray that God would bless us with a great deal on a grill. Joey prayed and got really excited about going to the “turn-around store” (turnstiles) and finding the grill from Jesus. I wasn’t as excited or as confident.
As soon as we walked in the door and through the turnstiles (a couple of times) I almost tripped over a grill all by itself that was set in the entrance with a red sign saying $100. Joey started laughing and pointing because red is his favorite color and we just prayed for a grill, and there’s a grill with a red sign…so there you go! I looked at it and immediately asked the manager what the deal was. He said they only used it once for an employee lunch and wanted to get rid of it. After negotiating, he even threw in a full propane tank and grilling utensils for free. Done deal. We were out the door for $106!
The best part of all this is that both Joey and I learned that we can and should pray about anything. So the next time you have a problem…get up in God’s grill and ask for help…Mmmmmmmmm.
That's a "Your Best Life Now" priceless moment.
Posted by: Leo | August 04, 2008 at 12:58 PM
I'm glad God wanted you to have that grill. What time is dinner?
Posted by: Pat | August 04, 2008 at 02:57 PM
Awesome! I was LOL'ing at work as I was reading this.
Posted by: BH | August 04, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Oh the faith of a child! We all have something we can learn from Joey.
Great to see the blog Joe. Thanks!
Posted by: Mary | August 04, 2008 at 09:37 PM
I heard that you blogged again so I had to come check it out. It's big news for us blog lurkers when Pastor Joe blogs. We spread the news around. Great story about the grill! Isn't it so cool how God answers even our seemingly insignificant prayers?
Posted by: Nancy | August 05, 2008 at 11:14 PM
What an awesome story!!! Hummmm. I have the same grill issue. Thanks Joey for the lesson in God's faithfulness in the little this too.
Posted by: Kathy | August 09, 2008 at 08:26 AM
What an awesome story!!! Hummmm. I have the same grill issue. Thanks Joey for the lesson in God's faithfulness in the little things too.
Posted by: Kathy | August 09, 2008 at 08:27 AM
that is like, the coolest thing!
Posted by: Jamie E | August 17, 2008 at 06:03 PM
Hahaha...Just curious Joe, Joey wasn't hopped up on brown sugar when the two of you went grill shopping, was he? (...Which could account for his enthusiasm ;)
Posted by: Bill and Heidi Riesch | August 25, 2008 at 09:02 PM
You've gotta love Joel Osteen! Thanks for the great blog! It made me smile through and through.
I guess when we "grill" God with our thoughts and prayers he really comes through!
Posted by: Dianna | September 23, 2008 at 05:05 PM