Tip: A coincidence is a time when God is at work, but chooses to remain anonymous.
Patrick Pettibon is the Vice President of Personality Insights, Inc.. He and his wife, Christie, live on a farm near Dallas, Texas. They have eleven children. Being with their family is one of my favorite things in all of life! Because the work he does for us is primarily electronic and online, Patrick is able to work from his home.
Ginny Pettibon, Patrick’s mom, is no longer with us. When she was approaching her 90th birthday, Patrick was trying to think of something that he could do for her that he thought she would enjoy and would be a blessing to her. It also needed to be something that she would physically be able to do since she was in a wheelchair.
One of her favorite singers was a gentleman by the name of Fernando Ortega. He is a very gifted musician who performs concerts all over the country. His music is very unique and different.
Patrick was trying to figure out a way that he could take his mother to a Fernando Ortega concert, but he had no idea where a concert was going to be held, nor how he could get her there. So, he went online to try to find some further information. To his amazement, the musician was giving a free concert at Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas, that very weekend! Patrick could hardly believe his eyes! Not only was he amazed that the concert was going to be held so close to home, but he was even more surprised that the concert was free! He called the church to ask if the information was correct and they assured him that it was.
As it turned out, my wife April and I were visiting Patrick and his family the weekend of that concert, so we were able to get in on the fun. Personally, I had never heard any of Ortega’s music, but I was certainly amazed to hear Patrick tell me what had happened and the fact we were all in for a treat.
Now the story gets even better! Because of needing wheelchair access, Mrs. Pettibon (along with the rest of us) got to sit on the very front row! We were so close to the front of the room that I could have actually reached out and touched Fernando Ortega! We all had a great time and enjoyed the concert very, very much.
Now, that all of that may not seem like a big deal to you, but I find it amazing that Patrick was looking for that exact musician so that he might take his precious mother to hear a highly paid artist at the very time a concert was being offered for FREE right there in his own hometown! You may say that is just a “coincidence.” I learned a long time ago that the definition of a coincidence is a time when God is at work, but he chooses to remain anonymous.
I find it very comforting to know that there is a higher power, stronger and greater than I, who is actually orchestrating the events of the universe. I personally do not want that responsibility! I do not think anyone is capable enough to handle all of the circumstances of this life, much less that of the rest of the universe!
Have you ever had something strange and unusual happen to you that turned out to be a real blessing in your life? Did you take credit for it or were you smart enough to think that perhaps there were some circumstances going on that were beyond your control that were being orchestrated by someone else? I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I could live with the thought that life was simply a set of random events that was taking place which had no meaning or purpose. It gives me a great deal of hope, joy and comfort to know that life truly does have direction and is being orchestrated for us all.
The next time you are in a set of circumstances that seems to be “coincidental”, why not just be grateful and thankful? I have found that is the best way to enjoy these unplanned and unexpected surprises. I know Patrick found that to be true as well!
Tip: A coincidence is a time when God is at work, but chooses to remain anonymous.
Have a great week! God bless you!
Dr. Robert A. Rohm
