In youth group, we used to talk a lot about “divine appointments” and I noticed how often my interactions with people really seemed to have a bigger purpose. Things weren’t just coincidences. I have to admit, that in the last few years, I’ve gotten leary of that kind of language, and so haven’t thought about things in those kinds of spiritual terms. But I also noticed that when I stopped looking for it specifically, it seemed to stop happening.

Well, this afternoon I had a conversation that really could not be described any other way. So get out your hankies, because I’m about to testify! As with most of my stories, it will take a minute to get there, so hang with me …

Our ServeFest projects last Saturday required a LOT of different tools. Most we brought with us, but a few belonged to the neighbors we served. Most made it back to the right person the same day, but unfortunately Miss Diane’s hedge trimmers wound up in someone’s car. No problem – I can take them back to her. I need to buy some Avon from her anyway. We decide that Tuesday evening will be good for both of us.

Well, Tuesday morning rolls around and I feel AWFUL. The week leading up to the outreach I’d had one of those headaches where it hurts if you look too far to one side or the other. Denise told me that was sinus pressure, but I didn’t think much of it because generally I don’t have sinus trouble. By Monday, the pressure was gone, but my throat hurt. And by Tuesday at noon, the doctor was writing me a prescription for an antibiotic to treat my sinus infection. I called Miss Diane to say that I couldn’t come meet her that night.

Then, on Wednesday, Miss Christine called to tell me that the bags of yard waste in the alley behind her house had not been picked up. And she had called the city and been told that they would not be picked up unless they were moved to the front of her house (where I was betting they STILL wouldn’t be picked up because her street is all blocked off due to construction, so I doubt any big trucks are getting through). Now, we do our job all the way, so I promised her we would take care of it. And I fully intended to, but …

Things started to get away from me last week, between the sinus infection, getting ready to leave town, and the sprained ankle. When I finally got back to business today I realized we still hadn’t taken care of that yard waste. So I frantically contacted Wendell who assured me we could take care of it tonight.

Perfect. And since we’ll be in the neighborhood, I’ll go about half an hour early and take Miss Diane’s hedge trimmers back to her. I left a message for Miss Christine to let her know we were going to take care of the bags, and headed to Miss Diane’s.

Well, as I arrive, I realize that Wendell is parked right in front of me at Miss Diane’s. Of course I wonder why he’s here 1) so early and 2) at Miss Diane’s instead of Miss Christine’s. But whatever. He goes with me to Miss Diane’s (because we both really enjoy her) and she invites us in as she finishes a phone conversation in the kitchen.

She walks back into the living room, crying, grabs both of our hands and says, “Oh Jesus, we need to pray!” Now we knew that she was concerned about some situations with her family, but it was more serious than we realized, and this evening she was very upset about it. So she talked with us for a while and then we really prayed for God’s will to be done in everything that concerned her.

When we get to Miss Christine’s, we find no yard waste. The alley is clean; even the dumpsters aren’t full. I tried to call her again, and this time she answers and says that apparently it was picked up on Friday or Saturday.

So … really, I’m convinced that the only reason we were supposed to go today was to be with Miss Diane. Because God knew what she needed. And (shocking) that was me and Wendell. I’m always blown away by realizations like that.

I think I’ll start putting a little more effort into looking at my life as more than just a series of chance encounters. It’s a lot more meaningful when you see a bigger purpose even in the little things you do.

(“Mmmmmm!!!! Amen!”)