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God used a crock-pot that day.
Not mine – hers.
Her: the casual friend I ran into at the grocery store who looked put together on the outside but was pulled apart on the inside by a heart-wound that dripped of fear, insecurity, and doubt.
She was at the store because her crock-pot mysteriously didn’t work that day. Though it had been loaded in the morning, the chicken was not edible come dinnertime because it was still raw. Her crock-pot was turned on and plugged in, but never heated up.
It was time to feed my people and I was in a rush to grab what I needed. Always a rush.
We met at the corner of eggs and pretzels.
It wasn’t a coincidence. It was an appointment set in God’s calendar. One I had no idea I was just on time for. We were both on time. HE set the appointment. His Spirit led the conversation. Both she and I knew it by the divine traces of grace, truth, and peace that covered our hearts as we said goodbye through tears and a hug.
We smiled as our carts crossed paths again at the checkout line… knowing we both came for groceries but were leaving with what we needed even more.
Me: a fresh measure of gratitude and an overwhelming awe of our loving Plan-changer who knows and responds to the needs of our harried hearts.
Her: a personal and on-time Word from God through the lips of a friend.
The grocery ground I walked was holy.
Deeply humbled, my thoughts soared with God’s beyond-ness. The way He met us there. The way His agenda trumped mine. The way he stopped a crock-pot from working for a greater dinner plan. The way He loves her. The way He loves me. The way He loves us.
Oh, how He loves us!
Perfectly. Immeasurably. Personally.
My rush was hushed as I loaded bags into the trunk and left the parking lot.
The steering wheel was chilly, but my soul was warm with God’s goodness. I reflected and gave thanks. So much thanks. I was grateful for the invasion of His presence… of His agenda… of His grace.
Joy rode home with me and hung out that entire evening.
I was changed because my plans were rearranged.
Because God needed to make His love known to a discouraged daughter… and because He allowed me to join Him in the beautiful mission. God always invites us to join Him in the work He’s doing around us.
Oh, how He loves us!
The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand.
(Psalm 37:23-24, NLT)
I’m desperate for this lesson to linger long. Are you?
When your day is rearranged or those plans seem ruined, open the eyes of your heart in expectation that God may have penciled you in for a special appointment.
He does that, you know!?
In tenderly mysterious ways.
Sometimes even through a crock-pot.
Lord,
Thank You for Your love that sees, knows, restores, and cherishes me. Help me to remember that my moments are Your moments. Guide me as I plan each day and teach me to hold those plans loosely so that Your Spirit might lead every step.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
Proverbs 16:3 tells us to, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and He will establish your plans.” Grab your journal or spend time in prayer and reflect on what this can and should look like in your life.
How did today’s post speak to you? Got a divine appointment story? Click over to my blog and tell me about it in the comments section.
Love you guys!
GWEN
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Comments 6
There are times when I’m standing in a long line and begin to talk the person in front or behind me. We both find out that we’re going through the same challenge and by the time we’re ready for our service, we’ve helped each other.
God at work the day I had to manually check in at the gym and overheard about a newly announced divorce. I knew God was in it as I never have to check in that way. A few weeks later came the opportunity to love on her and sit with her for extended time in the office and speak love and enciuragement. God is still at work, I may never know until heaven but I know he loves the broken hearted and am thankful for that opportunity. God you are faithful, keep my eyes, ears and heart open to your Holy Spirit.
Even though we may plan or day down to the most intricate detail, God runs our show. Although some days hard, we need to be open to changing our plan when we hear his prompting.
Last year I went on my first solo vacation to Waco Texas after my husband had passed away in 2015. I wasn’t sure how I would like traveling alone, but I committed each day to Him to lead and direct me. It was glorious. One day I befriended a dear homeless woman and we spent the day together listening to her stories and praying together. Another day I went to a craft class where I met 2 beautiful sisters in the Lord who worked for The Salvation Army in New Zealand. We spent the afternoon together. There is so much more to my story, but do you see how I was never alone, and that God brought wonderful happenings my way because I allowed Him to be in charge? At the end of my stay, He spoke to my heart and told me to live each day as if I’m on vacation. To let Him be the Captain of my ship. Your devotional this morning reminded me of that Gwen. Thank you. ❤
There’s no coincidences with our God only divine appointment! Yesterday I mentioned that to someone; I had one of those supermarkets appointment, because I was wondering why was I there and ups walked my appointment and when I left with a smile on my face.., I said this was all you Father wasn’t it !
There are no coincidences, only divine appointments! I had this in my heart earlier today. God places us where He can use us. We need to be open to His plans even when our plans are messed up.