Happy coincidences may often be God’s secret delights.
While the rest of our flowers are submitting to Autumns floral destruction, this nice wild rose came up and visited our permanent plywood Nativity Scene on our front deck. Sheer happy coincidence…you think?
This kind of stuff happens all the time. This reminds me of the old hymn “Oh Worship the King“. I love symbolic pictures. I pray our Wild hearts bow before the King of Kings.
Gary
I got run over by a 1600 pound steer. It’s true. Not as glamorous a story as Grandma and the reindeer but this steer was 5 times as big as any reindeer. I’m quite sure no song will come of it either. I’m OK, thanks for asking. The hooves missed me after a good head butt to send me flying and then run over the top of me.
I had agreed to drive two hours to bring a steer to market for a brother. Just drive the rig, back up the trailer and let the steer out into the chute. Two experienced professionals took it from there. I was an innocent bystander. I stood at the end of the closed gate until the big angry steer charged at one of the attendants. The steer hit the side of the chute and made an opening at the end of the gate. One moment I was standing in front of where the gate closes. The next moment I was in front of the opening. The massive animal saw the opening and charged. His big head caught me in the chest and tossed me into a perfect back flip. I landed a belly-flop onto the gravel driveway. I imagined my guardian angel and a couple others just watching and holding up signs…they were giving me a straight 10! Then he ran over me. Thankfully no hooves mashed me. I’m f.f.f.fine.
My body is sore in places where I didn’t even know I had places. Some odd memories are coming to me. I now believe those who tell about their whole life flashing before them in less than a second. As I was flying through the air, I remember thinking “I’m never traveling to Pamplona to run with the bulls”. Something did not feel right thinking of communion in church…”this is my body broken for you…” my mind fragmented more than my body.
Some changes have taken place. mostly in my heart and mind. living, dying, accidents or just an odd happening, does so instantly. I mean, what unforeseeable accident happens slowly? The last couple of days I’ve been shying away from parts of my morning prayer, mostly where I pray “well Lord, what do you have for me today?” I am very open to praying differently if you have other ideas. I find myself talking to God like Moses at the burning bush; “here I am Lord, please send Aaron.” I’m quite sure my default prayers should include needing more wisdom.
So, what does it take for God to get your attention? Trust me, in life, at any time, God allows some extreme attention getters.
Gary
Dad was known for his basketball coaching for many years. On occasion, he would say or do some unconventional things throughout his life to push people to grow in all areas of their life. Many young men looked up to him, on and off the court. He was “coach.” I, being one of his 7 children, sometimes find myself doing similar things.
After dad’s memorial service…I sent a text to James a fellow basketball player on Friday nights. Basketball evenings were played almost every week in the old clubhouse behind the church. With a lot of help, dad had moved an old barn and converted it into an all-season place to play basketball for three generations of fun. James was my generation. We were “clubhouse kids.”
Maybe this is not taught in discipleship class but just maybe the spiritual war zone for lives has too many sheathed swords on the Lords side. I’m all for being a little pushy sometimes if that’s what it takes.
And yes, I received the “Thanks a lot Gary…Your dad sure meant a lot to me! James
Speaking of J, the oldest of us, we call him a water spider; Someone who swiftly goes from task to task wherever needed. Today, when I overheard this conversation, I appreciated a deeper realization that several of my co-workers had a working knowledge of the Bible judging by the laughter.
IW: “Hey J. we need eight twenty eights” … J: “Romans”
A little later
IW: “Hey J: we need three sixteens” … J: “John”
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A little later. J: “I think I’m a mushroom today. My morale is good” B (with a wry smile): That’s cause your such a fung-guy”
Personally, I think every workplace and every church should have a few people like that; just to keep the rest of us from taking ourselves too seriously.
Gods Ways are...Different 