Update: Wonder Jacket

I’m so glad God made me a storyteller because He’s entrusted me with some crazy stories. Driving through the Twilight Zone behind the man making balloon animals while driving. The Compassion volunteer showing off child letters, grandchildren photos, and knee replacement x-rays all in the same binder.

My college roommates insist these kind of things only happen when I’m with them.

Last month I wrote a sentimental blog about Wonder Jacket. It was one of those journal-entry-blogs I never should have published… but I did.

Carry on Scarecrow and Wonder Jacket

To bring you up to speed: Wonder Jacket (my favorite, heaviest winter coat) vanished when I came home after Christmas. It didn’t make sense because I knew I had it all the way through my layover and exiting the airport here yet it was gone.

Well, Wonder Jacket was found in my friend Stephen’s car. Since it was a very warm January, I didn’t make getting it back a priority.

Then Stephen’s car disappeared. At first he thought he forgot where he parked. I know, that sounds crazy but it’s really easy to do here. You walk home from some place only to remember you drove… it happens.

Turns out his car was stolen.

When they broke the bad news to me, I thought it was a joke. You know, to leave the Wisconsinite without a winter coat in the once-a-season “blizzard” we were supposed to be getting that weekend. Yes, I do have friends who would find this funny. (And, frankly, I do too).

Nope, turns out his car really was stolen.

I bought a new coat (and dislike it for practical reasons). I am slowly moving on with my life, now rarely reaching for things that were once in the pockets. After all, it’s just a coat with a story.

Late last night I got a phone call from Stephen–who I’d just seen a few hours earlier–asking if I’d still be awake in 5 minutes. I was already in my pajamas but I said yes, the log sawing could wait five more minutes. He knocked and told me to close my eyes.

I warned him that I don’t like surprises. He promised this was a good one and handed me Wonder Jacket.

Apparently his car was abandoned at a junk yard ten miles from here. All of the jacket pockets are empty but Wonder Jacket is home, intact, and ready to go into the washing machine.

The empty pockets do make me feel violated. Someone else touched these zippers and stole what was inside (some gloves, pens, papers, a mini-Sharpie, and some money).

But having the coat back meant I slept with a smile on my face last night.

When Stephen handed me Wonder Jacket, the thought of saying, ”No, I don’t want it. Wonder Jacket has been gone too long. I  have a new (nameless) winter coat and don’t want this one” never crossed my mind. Wonder Jacket is mine and it’s home.

I’m pretty sure that’s how God feels when His children return to Him: a huge embrace, a smile, a sense of relief, (and a trip to the washing machine).

It’s good to be home.

Do crazy things like this happen to you? What’s the weirdest story you’ve gotten to be privy to lately?

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