I talk about reflecting often. I encourage you to do this as well. This is how I see God in all things in my life and in the life of my family. Allow me to share.
Several years ago Thomas wanted to live in Florida during the winter to work on his game. As we searched for the best avenue, a friend of mine, Lynda, who is a realtor in Florida suggested I look on airbnb to find a place for Thomas to live. At that time I had no idea and had never heard of airbnb…but I quickly learned and that is how I found Thomas a place to live for several months.
He rented from a fellow named Brandon. It worked out great and our whole family made a new friend in Brandon. Brandon turned out to be very different than Thomas. He doesn’t play golf at all. He is from the north and loves the water and surfing and is really into cars. In fact, Brandon was in the car business…the buying and selling of cars. Even after Thomas lived with Brandon we were able to stay in touch and keep up with him, especially because of Facebook.
Fast forward to last week…Thomas was in Florida playing in two qualifiers for the web/pga golf tournament. I received a call from Thomas as he was headed to the golf course in Miami for a practice round. He tells me he has been in a “hit and run” car accident. His airbag not only released but it ruptured and burned his arm. I can tell by his voice that he is very “rattled.” And, of course, while I am talking to him, I feel as if the bones in my legs have dissolved once again.
I was multi-tasking at that point…listening to him and praying at the same time over what to do and what to tell him since the other car had left the scene of the accident. God spoke. He reminded me of our friend Brandon who Thomas had lived with and who was also in the car business and lived in Florida. I immediately hung up with Thomas and called Brandon to see if he could help.
As God would have it, Brandon answered on the first ring. I explained what had happened to Thomas and told him that Thomas drove the same car (a Chevy Tahoe) that he drove when he lived with Brandon. Brandon said, “Well, guess what?! I now work for a Chevy dealership right down the road. Have Thomas drive to me and we will take care of him!”
Wow! Just wow! Thomas’ car was drivable but we needed it checked out since he had an eight plus hour trip back to South Carolina and needed to be driving to golf in Florida.
I can’t say for sure…but I know and once again see that God “works all things for good!” Several years ago…God used Brandon to provide a place for Thomas to live. At that time Brandon was a stranger. Even though these two men are very different and have different interests, a friendship was born. Fast forward…through a friend who was once a total stranger several years ago, God helped Thomas in a real time of need.
When I flew to Florida to join Thomas as we prepared to fly to South America to the web event he qualified for, we were able to meet Brandon and his date for dinner along with some other friends. It was great fellowship and I was able to thank Brandon in person for his help and also share with him how I thought God had used him once again in Thomas’ life! It brought about rich conversation about my faith and opened the door for Brandon to share some of his thoughts about God.
I fully expect to have more conversations with Brandon about God. I know that I know Brandon is not in our lives just to help or aid Thomas. The greatest payback I can ever give Brandon is to pray for him and continue to share Christ and how our meeting wasn’t by chance but by God’s appointment.
No matter where we are in life, God provides….starting with salvation….right where we are.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these,'” (Luke 12:24-27).