Thursday, Dec 5, 2024
“Accident? Coincidence? Nope. Godincidence”
It’s highly unusual that an accidental encounter with someone leads to something big or exciting. However, in one instance a month ago, a chance encounter occurred in the Chapel’s Gardens.
Like every year, I was hanging lights. I’m typically dressed in some rough clothing (because I’m climbing trees and fighting bushes) with a toolbelt around my waist, an old baseball hat on my head, sunglasses to protect my eyes, and probably a cigar somewhere close by. Most people think I’m the gardener, an electrician, or maybe a hired hand.
This one gentleman began to talk with me as I fought a certain tree. We had a nice conversation about storm damage and restoration efforts. After about 10 minutes, he stopped and said, “Wait a minute. You’re the pastor, aren’t you?” “Yes, sir,” I replied, “But people call me all kinds of things.”
He then began to tell me how thankful he was for a “Thank-you note” I had sent regarding a donation he had made earlier in the year. He managed a non-profit family fund that sometimes donates money to organizations, and the Chapel was one of those who received something.
I thanked him for his kindness and generosity. After we said our goodbyes, he mentioned that he would remember the Chapel the next time his organization made a distribution. A week later, I received a $5,000 check in the mail from his foundation.
I was shocked. I was also teary-eyed as I realized that the few minutes I spent with this gentleman may have helped him in some manner, to the point that he felt a significant gift to the Chapel was in order. Then, later that week, we received another $5,000 donation, this time from a local organization to help us with the restoration of the Chapel gardens. Wow! What beautiful, God-originated surprises are happening!
Does the Chapel need the donations? Yeah, for sure. But have I been worried? I’ve tried not to be. A lot is happening and it’s all stressful and expensive. The Holidays can feel like that even when Hurricanes don’t occur. We’ve all encountered a few Holiday Seasons that felt more like storms than blessings. But over the years I’ve learned that when we are Faithful, God provides.
Some might call it a coincidence that we are receiving exactly what we need when we need it. I call it something else because I know God is driving it. It’s a Godincidence. I’d imagine this Christmas has a few Godincidences in store for you, too.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17, ESV)