Being a Part of God's Plan

After having written my last blog, I’ve been waiting for renewed inspiration.  It came after this morning’s wonderful church service.  I realized that Ruby and I had been part of God’s plan though we hadn’t known it at the time.  I would love to tell you about it.

We chose to sit in a row to the side, near the front of the sanctuary and we moved over to enable anyone to sit beside us.  Before long, a couple we had not met before took those seats.  We listened to a well-delivered sermon on the nature of God, so magnificent yet so intimate and loving that He wants to have the kind of relationship with us that a brother would, who loves us.  The congregational singing was extraordinarily fine and soon we noted how beautifully well the man next to us sang and we agreed to introduce ourselves after the service and compliment him.

When the service concluded, we introduced ourselves and learned their names.  We were told this was their first Sunday, and that they recently moved from Toronto.  I said we loved hearing the gentleman sing and suggested that he might even want to come to the choir practice on Monday.  We learned that their furniture was still in storage and they were staying with their son until their condo was ready.  He said he’d been to Nicaragua, which interested me because I had been there on sight-testing missions.  However, that was the extent of our learning about them for the present time.

In the vestibule, we introduced them to several other couples, and then asked if they’d like to stay for a short while and enjoy the coffee fellowship, which they accepted.  Other couples were brought into our conversation and we let them know that this couple was new.  Before long, there was a group talking animatedly, causing them to feel welcome.  I learned from the gentleman that he had just been invited to attend the men’s dinner on Tuesday, and that someone had signed him up.  Then, he asked if we’d introduce them to the pastor.

It only took a moment.  I interrupted the pastor’s conversation with a friend, to ask him if he’d like to meet a new couple.  It was a happy time when he spoke with them.  Ruby and I were overjoyed that our pastor was there to welcome them and that so many people had done the same.

It was only after we were on our way home and were speaking to a lady friend, that I realized God had planned this very timely meeting by having us sit where we did.  Of all the places in the church where we could have sat, He had placed us where we could be next to this dear couple who were in need of new and genuine friends.  We reflected that any of us should be ready and available any time, to be an integral part of God’s plans.

Telling this experience is not to gain personal credit, for it should be natural to welcome newcomers.  God in His magnificence desires to draw individuals to Himself in a loving way, and He used us to fulfill His plans.  How blessed we were to be used by God!