July 10, 2024
A coincidence is when events happen at the same time, seemingly by accident. Providence refers to God’s divine guidance or care. The more we know and love God, the more we see his presence in everything. His sustaining hand causes the whole universe to function. It’s also a fundamental force in each person’s very existence, whether they see it or not.
Today when I looked at the weather forecast, I resigned myself to getting on the elliptical machine instead of my usual outdoor walk. The remnants of hurricane Beryl were blowing their way through my area. Rain, heavy at times, was predicted for the whole day.
But, come early afternoon, just as I was getting ready to get on the elliptical, the sun suddenly burst forth in all of its glory, illuminating the sky. I couldn’t believe it. Immediately I donned my outdoor shoes and headed out the door. It was wonderful! The air smelled fresh after the abundance of rain. Birds — starlings, sparrows, black-capped chickadees, woodpeckers — all came out of hiding and chorused around me. Walking is so much better for our mental health than an elliptical machine.
Forty-five minutes later, as I opened my front door and stepped in, heavy rainfall resumed. Coincidence? Many people would think so. I choose to believe in a God who is in control of everything, and who knew I needed the peace and inspiration of an outdoor walk right at that moment.
This takes me back to another providential moment that happened a couple of months ago. Again, I was out for my walk in the woods. A very wet, muddy portion of path caused me to look around and see if there was a dryer option. But, suddenly, the vision in my left eye began to shut down, like a black curtain falling. I couldn’t see clearly and was confused and a bit alarmed. A few seconds later, I was fine. I texted my husband to tell him about the weird incident. He was directed to take me to the hospital emergency department. I thought this was overkill, but I went anyway.
Good thing. I was diagnosed with amaurosis fugax, the temporary loss of vision due to reduced blood flow to the eye. It could be a precursor to stroke, the doctor said. What followed was a battery of tests, which all turned out to be normal. Still, I was cautioned to beware of a further incident and to come to emergency immediately if there was one.
Two days later I was back on my walk in the woods again. When I came to the exact spot where the vision incident had occurred, my phone rang. It was my pastor, wanting to encourage me and pray with me about my stroke scare. I was amazed about the timing of his phone call, and immediately saw God’s hand in this. My heavenly Father was watching over me, assuring me of his presence and care. I serve a faithful and loving God, fully involved in every aspect of my life.
Talking to someone in my church the Sunday after, he said that it was like God rewrote that chapter of my life. He took something that could have brought back worrisome memories every time I passed that section of the woods and overwrote it with love and the assurance of his presence. Now when I walk through that area I’m continually reminded of my amazing, faithful, and loving heavenly Father.
Coincidence? No way!