A God thing...

“The Lord will work out His plans for my life…” Ps 138:8

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God…” Romans 8:28

Years ago, in a school gymnasium in Surrey, a gentle pastor was preaching ‘the Christmas Story’ during the advent season. He had us imagine that the gym was the earth, and with that – he showed us how God does things. How His plans are worked out.

“Over here, in this corner of the gym/world, imagine aging Elizabeth, pregnant with her first child. A wonderful event, seemingly unconnected to...
over here, next to the bleachers, a young virgin, pregnant with her first child, seemingly unconnected to…
over there, under that basketball net, where for political reasons a census has been called, seemingly unconnected to…
over there, beside the boy’s changing room, where a ruler is nervous about his future on the throne, seemingly unconnected to …
over here, in the lobby, where uneducated, smelly shepherds are watching their sheep on a hillside, seemingly unconnected to…
back there, behind the stage, where hundreds (thousands?) of years earlier a prophecy was written, seemingly unconnected to…
right here, on the platform, where the hotelier says “No Vacancy” to the young couple who end up camping in the stable and give birth to their baby, seemingly unconnected to…
way over there, in front of the storage room, where some royal astrologers and magi are star gazing and decide “road trip!” seemingly –
well you get the idea.

He works out His plans and causes all things to work together.

Like, over there…back in November 2003, I was involved in a multi vehicle accident caused by a fully loaded double dump truck. I was stopped at an intersection and hit from behind. My car was written off.

Then, over there…in September 2004 when I saw the dump truck behind me on the freeway screeching to stop and likely unable to, I knew from experience that the damage to my vehicle would be lessened if I was a moving object, rather than a completely stopped brick wall.

The damage from the inevitable collision was minimal. I was unhurt and while my truck was dented, it was still drivable…

Making it possible to attend the pre-arranged Fundraising meeting that evening, over there…

Meanwhile, way over there, in another corner of Langley, Lynne the Fundraising Team coordinator, was suffering from a freak dizzy spell.
Her assistant, Debbie, over there, in Cloverdale, was tied up being a hockey mom that evening.

So by default, and with very short notice, I stepped in and chaired the meeting over there.

Naturally, to make the story good, someone was pregnant and her employers over there in Surrey, were considering hiring someone to replace her.

One of those employers had a meeting to attend over here in Langley regarding her son’s involvement in fundraising for his upcoming trip to Europe.

Her and I have been friends for years. Our sons have been buddies since grade 2. We are carpool partners. But we know nothing about each other’s professional lives.
And if I hadn’t accelerated when I saw that truck bearing down on me, (well, I don’t want to think about that…) and if Lynne hadn’t had a dizzy spell, and if Debbie’s son’s hockey game wouldn’t have been that night… I would have been the silent team member, taking notes in the back row.

“God causes all things to work together for good…”

Oh my goodness yes.

After three interviews, I was told to expect a phone call on Friday.
On Friday, the brakes on my truck went.
They simply left my vehicle.
After three tries, I found a place that could repair them (and all the other brake-related stuff) that afternoon. They even had a car for me to use in the meantime. It was an old, dirty, greasy Ford Escort.
A humbling ride.
By 5:00pm, I hadn’t heard from Arrow (my potential new employer) and I got the bill for my repairs. $1200. As I drove that shitbox back to Budget Brakes, I prayed.

“Thank you God. I know that you have a plan for me. I thought it might be a job at Arrow, but if I am not a good fit there, then I’ll trust You on this. You know what’s best. Not I. If they need someone different… someone more skilled, less fat, more professional, less loud, more computer literate, less blonde, more technical, less insecure… then that’s OK. I don’t want to be a plus-size round peg trying to squeeze into a size 5 square hole. Amen.” “Oh, and with this new bill, I really need to make some money. I guess I’ll head over to McDonald’s on Monday. And if I can’t afford to stay in this house, I’ll sell it and move into a condo next summer. Jes saying…”

I cried abit. Made supper for the kids. Was getting ready to take them to youth, when at 7, the phone rang. The president was on the line. Dr. Pue. The top dog at Arrow. Letting me know I could expect an official offer to come through via e-mail in the next few minutes, offering me a position. He just wanted to personally let me know he was excited about the possibility of having me on board.

I cried abit more.
Then told my puzzled kids the good news.
I called my parents next.

My dad asked, “Is it a good one? Can I be proud of you again?”
(He was mortified last year when I accepted a job at Bevo.
“A farm worker? YOU are a farm worker? I did that. I worked hard so that none of my kids would ever have to do what I did. You’re smart. Can’t you find something better? What am I supposed to say when people ask what you’re up to?”)

Yes, dad. It’s a good job. It’s a great one in fact.

I’m excited and nervous and happy and scared.
But mostly I’m at peace.
I know I am exactly where God wants me to be. He did a lot of manoeuvring to get me here.
And I’m thankful that He cares enough about me to orchestrate such a creative, seemingly unconnected, chain of events to bring about His purposes for my life.

Psalm 138
I give you thanks Lord, with all my heart.
I will sing (uh, no. That wouldn’t be good) I will write your praises to all.
I will give thanks to Your name for Your unfailing love and faithfulness.
Your promises are backed by the honor of Your name.
When I pray, You answer me; You encourage me by giving me the strength I need.

Thank you, God.
I am loved.