What a coincidence!

I have been reflecting on the "coincidences" that have been happening in my life lately.  The most recent example was discussed in yesterday's post, Amazing Grace.  But, as I look back,  I realize I  wrote  of several other "coincidences".  (See earlier posts "Time keeps on slippin", "Joy", "What a coincidence!" and "The Bema".  And I didn't even write about the most amazing example because it is a long story.  It literally had its origins in the 70's and culminated with a three hour discussion last weekend with Dr. Erwin Lutzer, who has written and preached extensively on the Bible's teaching about rewards.

The most recent happened yesterday.  The night before, Sandy and I had been discussing when we might go to Pittsburgh to visit our daughter.  It has been a while since we have done so and our precious girl is feeling somewhat neglected.

"Can we go yet in August?"  I asked Sandy.
"No, not until Emma leaves for college."
"OK.  September it is."  I said.
But Sandy cautioned, "If, that is, we can find someone for Andrew to be with."

For reasons that I will not discuss now, we don't leave our adult son alone for extended periods of time.  Furthermore, as sometimes happens in families, our daughter and son can be a volatile mixture.  So, in order to have a meaningful time with Rachel on our visit, it is best for Andrew not to go along.  I confess, we didn't even pray at that moment that God would provide someone to be with Andrew so that we could be free to visit Rachel.  Nevertheless, God, in His grace, was on it.

The next morning I took a call from an old friend who used to live in West Lafayette but now lives in the Hilton Head area of South Carolina.  We talked about life for an hour or so; and at the end of the conversation he said, "How do you think Andrew would feel about coming out for a few days.  We could visit some nearby historical sites.  I was thinking the weekend of September 7, since my wife will be out of town visiting her brother."

Not only had God provided someone to be with Andrew, he gave Andrew a trip centered on military history (his passion) at Fort Sumter and the U.S.S. Yorktown!

The Apostle Paul tells us in God's Word, "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."  II Cor. 9:8  Notice, he does not promise that God will give us all that we want.  Sometimes what we want is not really what we need.  In fact, sometimes getting what we want would get in the way of what He knows we really need.  And what we need (always) is whatever it takes to do His will, to "abound in every good work."

God knows what we need to accomplish His purposes.  We bring only the will to do it and He will provide the rest.  And God will reward those, like our dear friend, for willingly being a part of that provision.

Oh, and did I mention?  That weekend (on September 8th) is Sandy and my anniversary.

UPDATE:  This is only the first "coincidence" yesterday.  Read the other one in the next post above.









Do you know someone who is suffering physical or emotional pain who would be encouraged by this blog? Then please send them the link by clicking the envelope below, where you can also share it on Twitter and Facebook.