“Coincidence (aka Favor)”
I don’t believe in coincidences.
Yes, unique or curious things happen in life but I don’t just chalk them up to random happenings. I side with Master Oogway from Kung Fu Panda when he says, “There are no coincidences in this world.”
Coincidence is defined as, “the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection.” Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary
While you may not practice or observe one particular religion or faith, there are some events that happen in this life that simply can’t be explained by chance alone. We’ve all heard of medical miracles that have been unexplainable, an act of kindness that leaves us speechless or of the personal strength of someone that defies all natural abilities.
While I don’t believe in luck or chance, I do have first-hand experience with favor.
As biblestudytool.com explains, “favor means…approval, acceptance, or special benefits or blessings.”
I put my trust in God and, by character, He is always good.
There have been times in my life when a situation has happened that should have turned out badly and it somehow didn’t. There have also been times when I wished for something small but knew I didn’t need to buy it and then it ‘randomly’ showed up in my mailbox or on my doorstep.
Being mindful that I’m not putting God in the same box as a magic genie-in-a-bottle, like a loving earthly parent, He wants us to succeed and enjoy life to the fullest. He likes to give us little (and big!) gifts. It breaks his heart when we hurt and He grieves when we experience challenges. Through it all, and even though I have been super stubborn and have made countless mistakes, I don’t have to earn acceptance of favor. I only have to accept it…a concept that I only realized to its fullest in the last few years.
I have 110% confidence and security with peace, contentment, endurance because of my freeing, unconditional and loving relationship with Jesus.
I’m not sure about you, but my mind can be quick to fogret the small blessings…and sometimes the big ones too. It can be easy, if I allow it, to take for granted the good times and positive stuff that I get to experience on a daily basis.
A warm, safe home, clean water, food in the fridge, clothes in my closet etc.
To make sure I don’t forget and to not take this beautiful life for granted, I document the big and little blessings. I write them down as they come and keep a list on my computer and I even write some on a sticky note and place on my bathroom mirror. When I’m feeling discouraged, I can always open up that file or look at the notes.
Some ‘coincidences’, my marriage still being intact for example, does not get to have a sensible explainable. The fact that Jeff and I are still married, that we respect each other and even like each other is a darn miracle in itself. Someone could give a million reasons why this is so and I could give them 2 million more as to why there is no natural explanation.
To give you hope in this time of many challenges or if you are having a down day, I wanted to share a few ways favor has showed up in my life and cheer you on to keep going and never give up.
Remember, God ALWAYS shows up…just in time…in His perfect time…even if we don’t understand.
Here are just a few I have written down:
*The boys were given a free slush the other day on our bike ride. The worker let them leave without paying and said it was a treat.
*A neighbour brought over fresh made soup on a cold hard day when I really didn’t have it in me to cook.
*Another neighbour brought over a beautiful pie.
*We have received upgraded hotel stays at times when we needed a little extra pick-me-up in spirit.
*The store I buy my vitamins at, gave me free greens powder and at another one, the gal gave me 5 free bottles of kids Vitamin D’s for Luke
*Forgotten owed money has always showed up when I needed it for bills…at exactly the right time.
*After a very difficult year last year, I had 2 amazing friends drop off the most humbling, unexpected incredible Christmas present that was definitely Heaven-sent.
*Family members have brought over cookies, muffins, Costco groceries and one of my sisters even gave us some of her toilet paper and lysol wipes…enough so that I haven’t had to buy toilet paper yet this whole pandemic.
*One time, (and this is one of many types of these events), we had lost a substantial amount of money to a very negative job situation. It was money we needed. It was money we couldn not afford to lose at the time. It didn’t seem fair. It felt almost hopeless though deep down, I knew though…that God always pulls through. A few months later, when we had stretched enough and reached our desperate financial breaking point, Jeff found an envelope. He had put this envelope, of money, away in a ‘safe’ place and had completely forgot about it. Stumbling upon the find, it was no more and no less than the exact amount we had lost to the job situation and the exact amount we needed for that moment in time. Coincidence? No way. A test of faith and an awe-inspiring confirmation of His never-ending provision in our lives? Definitely.
*and the list could go on and on…
So if you are feeling hopeless, frustrated, scared or uncertain about the future remember these truths (even if you don’t feel like it at the time;):
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11(NIV)
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
“So do not fear, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaih 41:10 (NIV)”
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”- Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
He will always provide and His promises never fail.
Rest well,
-Becky
