Coincidence or God Incidence?
You just can’t make this stuff up! My granddaughter, Alexia, while shopping for her birthday present, last week, revealed that she’d like to have a cat when she lives on her own. We once raised Persian Angora cats, so she was speaking my love language. So, on her actual birthday, I thought I would help her cast vision for that kitten/cat by giving her a 2021 kitten calendar and, in a cat birthday bag, a little furry electronic cat. It was worth the photo opt!
What happened later that day, takes this story to a whole new level of what casting-a-vision can do. In fact, Alexia asked me later, like I have superpowers, “Nana, what did you do?” The trajectory of our vision and our faith landed on this saga that ensued! Was it a coincidence or a God-incident?
Payton, Alexia’s brother, was jogging in the area where he lives near the SMU campus. He saw a dead cat in the road and two kittens on the side of the road. A woman pulled over in her car and asked Payton if he’d take the kittens. She couldn’t because she is allergic to cats. She said if he would take them, she would take the kittens to the vet and get them checked out, neutered, vaccinated, and get everything he needs to care for them. A while later, the woman shows up with the kittens, a kennel, a litter box and litter, food, toys, and CBD for cats. This is a true story. Pictures here prove it so. Here’s what I think:
1) As a beloved child of God, we are promised His favor. Why shouldn’t He place us at the right place at the right time – because He places His favor upon those who have a pure heart and right standing with Him? Psalm 5:12 says “Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”
2) We know God isn’t a genie that we get to name our wishes and desires. But, we do know that He delights in us when we delight in Him. Psalm 37:4 says “Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Hmm! I’m thinking Alexia must be sure delighting in the Lord!
3) Maybe you’re thinking this is all a coincidence. And, just maybe I’m oversimplifying this special birthday of Alexia’s – that in a pure heart of a grandmother to love my granddaughter and help her see that there are no “little” asks that are too little for God to care about.
Throughout life, God is orchestrating His will for our lives with “as it turned out” and “just so happened” incidences. Alexia “just happened” to mention to her brother and me that she wants a cat. I “just happen” to want to encourage Alexia by giving her “cat” visuals. Payton “happened to be” at the scene of the accident. This woman “happened to be” an animal lover that cared about God’s creation. Throughout my life, the Lord has used God-incidences to have me meet the right people for the right things and opportunities in my life. Yes! I believe in God-incidences! I’m sure you have some of those, too!
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” (Psalm 37:23)