We just don't like or want delays, inconveniences, and unplanned circumstances. But, more often than not, God is working "all things" for our good so He asks us to simply trust Him.
Weariness obviously set in for me because of my busy, putting-the-pedal-to-the-metal schedule the last couple of weeks. I was driving home from Dallas, Monday morning, when I could hardly keep my eyes open to drive. Intelligent woman that I am, I knew I needed to pull off the highway for a few minutes to take a little nap. I pulled into the Choctaw Visitor Center, found a parking space, and fell asleep for about 10 minutes....and I was good to go. Then, about an hour later, that sleepiness hit me again, so I exited the turnpike and pulled off into a motel parking lot and again, fell asleep for about 10 minutes. That worked again.
Once home, I realized I needed to run to the post office, so before unpacking, I headed out. I made it out of the post office and got into my car, when one of my neighbors saw me and knocked on my window. We visited for about 10 minutes or so, then another friend saw me, and we talked another hour or so. In both of those encounters, I was there, what seemed to be on purpose to give words of encouragement. I left them both feeling God was tracking with me and because of the timing of my "sleepiness" on the road home, perhaps I seemed to be in the right place AT THE RIGHT TIME, for both of them. Sleepiness = Time Delays = Perfect Time to be His Ambassador
Then yesterday, I was expecting a technician to repair my oven and a plumber to repair my kitchen sink pipe. Because I have a home warranty, each repair job would be $75 -- that's all -- no extra costs for labor and parts. The plumber was to be here between 8 & 12 pm. He had car trouble so he was delayed. At 3 pm, the oven repairman came in and got his job done. Because my Life Group is on Tuesday nights, I had hoped that the plumbing repair would have already been done. We obviously needed water for my kitchen sink. I, kiddingly, asked the oven repairman "Do you know anything about plumbing?" He asked to see the issue, and with a quick turn of the fitting that holds the pipes together, it was done! That plumber's car trouble and my "extra" ask, saved me $75. Car Troubles = Time Delays = Perfect Time to be blessed with $$ savings.
So....the moral of both of these stories is "God's providential circumstances". Circumstances that easily could be seen as inconveniences, but in the grand scheme of His all-knowing and all-seeing plan for all lives, He worked things out for my good...and even others' good.
To believe that our Heavenly Father is constantly spreading around providential circumstances that work for our good, relieves so much pressure on us having to figure it all out. Most of us go through life praying a little, planning a little, jockeying for position, hoping but never being quite certain of anything, and always secretly afraid that we will miss the way. What a waste of time and peace. The better way is to relinquish control and get the infinite wisdom of God. God stands ready to take over the management of our lives the moment we turn in faith to Him.
Here is His promise: "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:6
