The Thirteen Dollar Check: A Lesson in Seeing the Small Blessings
The Thirteen Dollar Check: A Lesson in Seeing the Small Blessings
By: Shauna Sommer
Have You Prayed for Big Things, Only to Find Yourself Disappointed Because the Answer Fell Short of Your Expectations?
If you've ever felt let down by a prayer that seemed to be answered with less than you hoped, you're not alone. So often, we pray for big blessings but are underwhelmed when the answer arrives in a form or size we didn’t expect. But what if each of these moments is part of a perfectly orchestrated plan, nudging us toward our purpose one step at a time?
I believe that nothing in life is a coincidence. Every detail, even the tiniest ones, plays a role in shaping our path. If we learn to pay attention, these details can be our guideposts, whispering whether we’re on the right path. Of course, we sometimes take detours or outright resist the path laid before us—and that resistance costs us. When we deny our divinely designed journey, we postpone living out our purpose, adding unnecessary obstacles to an already winding road.
Waiting for “It” All to Come Together
As a mom of four (with two now an adults), I know firsthand that no matter how old your children get, they’ll always be your babies. As we grow older, we realize there is no “magic age” when everything in life clicks into place. Instead, the longer we’re on this journey, the more we see that life only gets more intricate. We may crave simpler answers, but life keeps serving up bigger questions.
That brings me to my oldest son. When I lived in Florida he made the brave decision to leave a life he’d built in Portland and move back with our family in South Florida. He’d achieved a lot on his own, but he also recognized that life wasn’t quite as glamorous or straightforward as he’d once thought. He came back not just for family but also with the hope of learning a bit more before tackling adulthood. His story would soon bring a lesson neither of us saw coming.
The Thirteen Dollar Check
Not long after he moved back, he received a refund check from a local urgent care for a grand total of…$13. It was the overage from his insurance, a small amount that could easily be overlooked. And that’s exactly what he did—ignored it.
The check floated around our house, shifting from one pile of papers to another. Each time I saw it, I’d remind him it was there, but it remained uncashed. Finally, I took it to him and asked when he was planning to deposit it since it was nearing expiration. He looked at me and shrugged, “Mom…it’s only $13. It’s not a big deal.”
I knew he had been praying, asking for financial blessings so he could save up for a car. But as I held that check, a thought came to mind. I looked at my son and said, “How can you ever expect the Lord to give you bigger blessings when you won’t even accept the smaller ones He’s given you?”
He paused, absorbing the question. “Touché,” he replied, realizing he’d been asking for a blessing while dismissing a small one that had already arrived. Not long after, bigger financial blessings came his way—opportunities that likely wouldn’t have come if he hadn’t learned the value of being faithful with what he’d already been given.
The Lesson: Be Mindful of the Small Blessings
I believe that sometimes, God answers our prayers in unassuming ways. The blessing may seem insignificant, but it’s a test—a way of seeing if we’re ready to be faithful with the small things so we can be trusted with more.
Next time a small blessing crosses your path, welcome it with grace and gratitude. That $13 may not be the big answer you were praying for, but it might just be the training ground for something far greater. God really is there, preparing us for the blessings aligned with our purpose. Don’t overlook the small blessings—they’re often the first steps on the path to our biggest dreams.
