Coincidences or ‘God-incidences’?
“The first girl you meet when you return to Marion College will become your wife.”
No, this wasn’t the prediction of a fortune teller or a 900-number “psychic friend.” My pastor’s wife was trying to console me after a break-up of an engagement and the feeling that I’d never, ever find true love.
“I just feel that’s what the Lord is telling me.” I was skeptical, but I did go back to school with fear that the “Bride of Frankenstein” would be waiting for me.
To quickly make my point, the first girl I met that year at college was Lois Farra—definitely no Bride of Frankenstein. (That’s her and me in the pic above.) Two and a half years later she changed her last name to “Watkins.” A coincidence, perhaps. I would rather think of it as one of my friends calls them: God-incidences.
Throughout life, God is orchestrating His will for our lives with “as it turned out” and “just so happened” incidences. Lois just “happened to be” the first female I met on campus. When our car broke down several miles from home, a neighbor “just happened” to have had to work late and “just happened” to notice us beside the road. When Lois and a friend from out of town missed an appointment with each other at the hospital where both needed to call on parishioners, Lois decided to pick up some supplies at a Christian bookstore several miles from the hospital. “As it turned out” her friend “just happened” to be at the very same store!
Throughout my life, the Lord has used God-incidences to have me meet the right people for marriage, employment, writing assignments and other ministry opportunities.
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps (Proverb 16:9).
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives (Psalm 37:23).
And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28).
Yep, I believe in God-incidences!
Copyright © James N. Watkins
What God-incidences have you experienced? Please share below.
It’s is a coincidence if you accept my definition.
Coincidence: A small miracle where God chooses to remain anonymous. If you don’t want to see him, you don’t have to. But if you’re looking, there he is.
A great definition, Judith. Thanks!