I picture God sometimes
giving us our days in a pretty gift bag. He waits in anticipation for us to
open it, saying, “I know you’re going to like this.” My husband Keith recently
opened a very fun bag.
This spring a middle-eastern
pastor spoke at our church. He lives in a country where it is illegal to
convert from Islam – so for his safety I can not say his name or where he is
from.
He told story after story of
his underground church and our hearts broke to hear about a place where it is a
crime worthy of death or prison to worship the God of the Bible. We hear his stories of faith under fire and
we realize how much we take for granted the precious freedom of religion we
enjoy in America.
Keith and this man have kept
in touch weekly since March. They share their joys and concerns and pray for
each other. It’s neat that the hearts of two men who live a world apart
have knit together. Though they come from different cultures, they worship the
same God. They hoped God would allow their paths to cross in person again some
day.
Keith was talking to his
friend on our recent vacation. His friend was in America again on business. He asked if there was any
way we could get to St.
Louis to see
him. When Keith said we couldn't, his friend asked where Keith
was.
Keith said, “Colorado.”
Keith said, “Colorado.”
His friend said that he would
be in Colorado the next day.
He then asked where Keith was in Colorado.
Keith said, “Colorado Springs.”
His friend laughed and said
that he would be in Colorado
Springs as well.
A friend of his had offered to fly our friend and his wife to Colorado for a few days of R & R to regroup physically and
emotionally after some stressful situations.
We spent two wonderful hours
together the next day, utterly amazed that of all the places in the U.S., we “just happened” to be in the same city on the
same day. We live 1200 miles away from Colorado Springs and our friend lives 6,000 miles away.
We think we are in control of
our lives and choose where and when we want to go. Then something like this
happens and it makes you wonder.
Proverbs 16:9 - “A man’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord directs his steps.” (NIV)
I'm linking up with Jennifer for
I'm linking up with Jennifer for
I love this! It's so great how God works in our lives!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to connect with your friends while you were on vacation - God is really amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a Mighty God we serve!
ReplyDeleteWhen God works the impossible, it's just that much sweeter. He is awesome. (Thanks for visiting! I'm glad I hopped on over).
ReplyDeleteOh so true. It's all God and I love it when we get reminders like this. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool! What a wonderful God thing! :)
ReplyDeleteYou just made me grin. I have had similar experiences in being at the "right place at the right time", which is one of my basic mottoes. What a blessing for all of you!
ReplyDeleteAnd I sure understand about the national, religious, various groups in danger. Our church is involved with SAT-7. I'm an Open Doors, Voice of the Martyrs, and connected to others in various locations. It is very important to me... partly b/c I don't think it's impossible that it could land in our laps here. Hmm!
Bless you. So happy for you.
Wow, that is cool!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
God is so amazing! What a beautiful experience. I love your words, "He waits in anticipation for us to open it, saying, "I know you're going to like this." God is good...all the time....we just have to be willing to see him.
ReplyDeleteOh Angie ... What a beautiful God-incidence. I get the sense that God takes great delight in paying attention to the details that bring us joy.
ReplyDeleteI know you’re going to like this and Send gifts to your loved ones.
ReplyDelete