Daily Devotionals

Coincidental Stories

Posted in Serving/Missions

Scripture: “Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” – 1 Peter 4: 8-10

 

Recently, I read a sentence that resonated with me: “No coincidence, no story.” Coincidences that I enjoyed and remember years later looped through my memory. Two are particularly vivid and, interestingly, would not have occurred without my service to the Foot Care Ministry.

 

While rasping a foot callous, I heard someone enter our Foot Care room but continued rasping until I heard our visitor speak. She looked somehow familiar, and when she approached me, I blurted out, “I know you.” We looked at each other for a second, and then we smiled in recognition. More than 40 years ago, I was her fourth grade teacher! Now, Donna has a foot health business and wanted to acknowledge Lent/Easter by learning about and providing foot care. She had heard of what we do on Main Street at Christ Central Ministry (CCM). What an unexpected joy to all of us in the room– the Foot Care givers and our guests enjoyed our coincidentally being there at the same time recalling her classmates. Every Foot Care shift has reciprocal blessings, but that day was “a coincidence and a special story.”

 

Christ Central Ministry serves lunch to folks in Columbia who are without a home for various reasons, so CCM’s kitchen must comply with DHEC regulations. One Tuesday, I was at the only sink where we clean our foot tubs. Standing beside me at a different sink was one of the kindest men I have ever met, Philip, who helps there. I have talked with him over my years of volunteering, but for some reason I said, “Philip, we often chat, but I don’t know your last name.” When he told me, I froze. I asked if he was related to the Charleston master blacksmith who made many beautiful wrought iron gates (they have the exact same name). He said, “That’s my father.” I told him of the magazine article I’d read about his father. He didn’t offer more and I didn’t pry, but I did ask how his father had such strong hands. Once upon a time, he made horseshoes! Coincidentally, I was wearing earrings my mother-in-law gave me (a thoughtful and lovely lady). I told Philip that “it just so happens” that these earrings are designs of Historic Charleston ironwork garden gates. His kind smile seemed proud and glad we shared this story. “No coincidence, no story.”

 

Blessings will flow while being the “hands and feet of Jesus,” but sweet are the unexpected ways these connections bless us. 

 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, we sometimes hear there are no coincidences, but that coincidences are your way of winking at us. We lift our hands and hearts to you in gratitude for your abiding love for us and the unlimited ways you creatively show your love. Please help us to be more mindful of your hand upon us seeking your will in all that we do. Please forgive our omissions when we fail to show others your love or to notice your glorious manner of making our days meaningful. In Christ’s holy name we pray, Amen.

 

Submitted by Johnnie Pearce