Was It Coincidence?

I found my cul-de-sac to be the perfect place to walk for exercise while listening to meditative music through my headphones. Several neighbors mentioned I would enjoy joining a walking group, the Nature Gurlz. “No, thank you,” I replied.

“I’m retired and being somewhere at eight-thirty in the morning is too much like going to work.” However, after being isolated for over two years, the companionship of walking with the Nature Gurlz sounded appealing. So I set my alarm in time to have worship, dress, eat a snack, and drive to the location. “Lord, please give me a new testimony,” I prayed. When I arrived, forty-one ladies stood in a circle, meeting and greeting, ready to stretch, pray, take a group photo, and sing the Nature Gurlz song. How wonderful! We walked at our own pace for two miles through the scenic nature preserve. I chatted with many delightful ladies, including a retired university chaplain. The forty-second chaplain of the United States Senate, Barry Black, was scheduled to speak at my church, and I shared this news with her.

She was excited! We exchanged phone numbers, and I mentioned that I worshiped on Saturday. No problem. She had a close friend who attended church on Sabbath in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, so she was familiar with my denomination.

For the next two weeks, we enjoyed walking together and often shared the blessings of the Lord. My family and friends prayed with me that she would come to church and be blessed by the service. Both prayers were answered.

Thank You, Jesus! Since then, she has read one of Chaplain Black’s books, enjoyed a Sabbath afternoon meal, and watched several Sabbath services online, including the Breath of Life Ministries. She has not hesitated to ask questions about our beliefs. When I think about stories in the Bible like Esther and Joseph and the events of their lives that seemed to be coincidences, I am reminded that the Lord can orchestrate anything, anytime, and anywhere for His glory. If we are willing to be used by Him, even when we cannot see the end from the beginning, just imagine what He could do in seemingly ordinary moments of our lives! The question to ask ourselves is this: Are we willing?

Shirley Sain Fordham