I will always remember it. It was a last-minute trip, a surprise offer from my husband Kenneth. “Let’s go to Door County.” He told me. He didn’t have to ask twice; if you know me well, you know it is one of my favorite spots on earth. Our first night, my husband wanted to give me dinner with a view. So, we picked a restaurant that had a water view. I ran inside to ask if there was a table available looking at the water. The host told me there was one, on the porch, but the protective awning was leaking. “Do you want to take a chance?” I told her, “We do.” I took it as providence. She seated us. The storm stopped immediately. And within 15 minutes, they were drying off tables and seating others around us. The view of the bay was wonderful.
Often, I ask the LORD for things. They come but not as I expect or “order up.” But they come. The question isn’t whether they will come; the question is usually whether I will accept what is sent. Providence often works that way. It can be an unexpected blessing, a total surprise. Or it can be a surprise because it is what we need but not necessarily what we requested.
On our journeys, the LORD is with us always and everywhere. There is nowhere we can go that the LORD is not already there. There is no time that is without the LORD’s presence. The question, again, isn’t whether it will be but rather whether we will accept it as it is if it isn’t according to our specifications or expectations. If we are open, we may be surprised to find that what we have is better than what we thought we wanted.
As we journey in faith, let us not shut ourselves off from the unexpected, the providential moments when the LORD breaks into our moments, our space, in such a way that we can’t miss it. Let us always be willing to acknowledge it, give thanks for it, and then appreciate it as we would any other gift from anyone else.
Until tomorrow, let us all love well.
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