it was just a coffee group
My retired husband, Larry, joined a coffee group a few months ago. He religiously gets up each morning and is out the door by 7:30 AM, off to solve the world’s problems with this amazingly diverse group of men. After a few weeks, I began to look forward to him coming home and reporting to me the colorful and entertaining adventures of this fascinating band of retirees. There is one gentleman that Larry speaks of often, with tender respect, Gary. You see, Gary is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Gary leans on this caring group of friends who support him with kindness and reverence. Gary builds the most interesting and unique bird houses and takes them to the quaint, trendy coffee shop where people eagerly purchase the fun addition for their yard. He explains that this hobby, not only is excellent therapy for his brain disease, it gives him joy knowing that he has brighten someone’s day.
only 3 of us showed up
On Saturday mornings, the coffee group selects a different restaurant each week and they all meet for breakfast. One Saturday morning my husband asked me if I would like to join him at the coffee group breakfast. Apparently, wives often accompany their husbands on Saturday mornings. My curiosity got the best of me as I had not met any of his “coffee friends” yet. Plus, I never pass up an opportunity to have a date with my awesome husband. As we walked up to the IHOP greeter, she informed us that Gary was waiting for us at the table. (I love living in a small town). Larry and I clearly were early for this weekend ritual, I thought. A kind, warm man jumped up and extended out his hand and assured me it was such a pleasure to finally meet Larry’s wife. As it turned out, only the three of us showed up this Saturday morning, which Larry told me, was unusual.
"Trust that God will put the right people in your life at the right time and for the right reason." - Mohammadgous Attar
they are life changing
After sitting and enjoying each other’s company for a while, Gary stated, with such excitement, that he was so glad he kept his Divine appointment. With a puzzled look on my face, I asked Gary what he meant. He began to explain that when he woke up he told his wife that he did not feel well and was going to skip the breakfast group this morning. His wife sat down beside him and with such love in her heart, told him he should go. She explained that he needed to get out of the house and that being around people he loved and admired would help him to feel better. Gary reluctantly got ready and headed off to IHOP in his pickup. Gary explained to Larry and me, that God makes Divine appointments for us every day. When we show up for them, they are life changing. Not always in a big fireworks kind of way, but always in a meaningful, life improving way.
it was more than a birdhouse
That morning, Gary, Larry and I sat and talked about how true, good friends support you in times of trouble and challenge. We realized how much of a role God plays in helping us get through difficult periods and how He uses special people and certain events to bring us through hard times teaching us strength and clarity. We discussed how going through struggles makes us a much better person by the lessons we learn from such demanding experiences. As we walked out of IHOP, Gary invited me to his truck to see his latest truly unique, beautiful bird houses. My heart was full of humbleness and admiration. I can honestly say I am a better person for knowing Gary. All three of us needed to be a part of that significant discussion at that exact moment in our lives for various personal reasons.
“You are someone else’s miracle! God is setting up divine appointments and it is our job to keep them.” – Mark Batterson
listen to your gut feeling
Can you remember a time in your life where you just could not believe a certain person showed up at such a perfect moment? What about an event or opportunity that presented itself at the right time you absolutely needed it? Coincidences? I have come to believe that these are Divine appointments that God made for us. Today, when I know I need to do something or go somewhere but I begin to rationalize why I don’t feel like it or have something else I “want” to do, I remember my Divine appointments. I then get quiet and ask God to tell me what I need to do. The answer always comes inside my gut with veneration and most of the time I choose this option. Sometimes, God lets me know that I should NOT do something I thought I wanted to do. I will admit this method of deciding what my Divine appointments are does not work 100% because our human nature is sometimes devious. When I go ahead and choose what I want to do instead of choosing my Divine appointment, inevitable there are consequences or at the very least not the desired results I had hoped for.
what divine appointments do you have today?
I invite you to think about your Divine appointments. Gary has me believing that God makes them for us every day. I don’t believe that our lives are already laid out like destiny, but I do believe in my heart that God makes it possible for us to live joyous, content and purposeful lives. If we listen and watch for our Divine appointments, magic happens – the magic of wonderful.
Many years my friend, many years....