Have you ever felt like God is specially guiding you one day, to the point where even the mishaps you experience are part of His plans?
I had one of those moments on Friday.
Our Friday evenings look a little different now than they did a month ago. Peter has started going to rehearsals for a Christmas Messiah concert which will be held in December at another church in our area. I teach computer classes at our own church twice a month.
Last Friday was my week for computer class. I was feeling particularly lazy that day, so I asked Peter to drive me on his way to rehearsal. Yes, it would mean that I would get there earlier than needed, but I brought my book, so I anticipated a relaxing pre-class evening.
I began preparing the classroom.
Ding!
A text from my student. She was running 15 minutes late. She’d forgotten her computer at home and had to turn back.
No problem! I thought. More time to relax after I’m finished.
It was then that I realized the worksheet I’d planned for the class was still sitting in our entranceway at home.
I looked at my watch.
I could get by without the worksheet, but Francine’s running late. If I walk fast, I should have just enough time to go home and get it.
So much for reading.
Off I went.
Along the way, there were two people waiting at an intersection. The light was red. I waited with them.
“Hello,” the girl said, in English.
“Hello!” I responded.
We asked each other where we were from. China was her answer.
The light changed, and we started walking and talking together—all the way home. It turns out she lives 2 minutes away from me.
We exchanged contact information, and agreed to meet up the next day. Her name was Gloria*. She would come to the church after my kids’ ESL class, and we would go out for lunch.
Twenty minutes later, Francine arrived at computer class. “It was the strangest thing,” she said. “I was sure I’d left my computer at home, but when I got there I couldn’t find it. It turns out it was sitting in the back seat of my car all along, under a blanket. I looked there before going home, but I didn’t see it!”
Over lunch the next day, Gloria and I had a wonderful time. She had many questions about Jesus, the church, and the nature of God. I had a chance to tell her all about Jesus’ life, His forgiveness, and His love for her!
We’re planning to meet again, and she wants to come out to our Christmas party in a few weeks’ time—she’s already planning which of her other friends to invite!
I love God’s “appointments”, and this one was more obvious than ever. How wonderfully He works out little details like missing worksheets, a stop light, and a “forgotten” computer!
* Names have been changed to protect privacy.
