I Don't Believe In Coincidence

Sometimes, I wish I did. But, I don't. I don't believe in coincidence. I believe in a Sovereign God whose hand touches every detail of life. I believe that I was created with purpose, and that God never wastes a thing that comes into my life but uses all things to bring glory for Himself and good for me. I've believed that for some time now, but recently, this belief has been at the forefront of my thinking more than ever.

Lately, I've been in a slump. I told you I believed I was losing my mind. Some days, just getting out of bed is like fighting an uphill battle. Other days, keeping a string of coherent thoughts running together just seems impossible. And, frequently, I resort to a good old fashioned bout of tears to deal with whatever seems like more than I can handle. There's no simple explanation or straightforward answer to these things, but I am working through them.

This problem is not what I want to write about, though. It's the way God's been working in the midst of it that has stopped me in my tracks today. It's the way He continues to move and speak and make Himself known that makes me stand in awe.

You see, in the middle of what feels like chaos, there's a growing list of friends who've contacted me out of the blue just to check in, telling me I've been weighing heavier in their thoughts than normal and they've been praying for me more specifically.

On Sunday afternoons, there's this very random assortment of women who come together for discipleship. When I prayed four months ago that God would put us together however He saw fit, I couldn't have known that I'd need exactly what each of them brings to that table. I couldn't have known I'd need someone who's been through this valley or someone who'd joyfully pray daily or someone who'd call just to see where I was or someone who'd speak wisdom with every utterance.

He knew, though. He saw what I couldn't see coming.

He knew before I could have that when I accepted teaching opportunities, I'd need the lessons as much if not more than those listening. He knew I'd need to meet "The God Who Sees" and "The God Who Fights For Me" in a specific way this week.

He knew, even when I wasn't sure I had time for it, that I'd need a weekend away with relatively new friends to laugh out loud, to share the burdens of my heart, and to learn new songs with which to praise Him.

And, He knew every time He gave me the grace to walk another step with a hurting friend, that those sweet ones would be exactly who I needed to walk with me now and that He'd give them the grace to take another step with me today.

"In his heart, a man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9