Have you ever had something happen and then look back to find that God's timing was perfect? I think we all could share experiences where something uncanny happened with the timing of events in our lives. Some call this Providence or ProvidesEvidence - God working through the history of mankind to show evidence of His care, love and grace / kindness.
Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose" (King James Version).
All things is pretty inclusive - isn't it?
This week I saw God work through one situation but His providence required my participation.
I was at the DMV in Roseburg. The only appointments we could get for my wife and I were at 1:30pm and 2:40pm. I wanted to get the appointments closer together so we could both get our Driver's Licenses transferred and move on with our transition to Oregon but that didn't seem to work out. Each time I thought about the situation and the waiting I just mentioned to God, "Well it would be nice if these were closer together." What complicated it was that we had to bring a family member to vouch for our physical address, so they too would be waiting.
We headed towards the building and I remember seeing, "Let's see what awaits us with this process".
As I checked in and went to stand on the red carpet I looked at my wife and her mom sitting down waiting and thought again, "Lord, it sure would be nice if we could get Marie [my wife] through this process quickly too". A sense of peace came over me that it would work out, and I was soon greeted by the helpful clerk at the counter. First off she looked up my name, etc. and seemed to light up as she said, "Welcome back to Oregon!!" Evidently she had a DMV record from over 20 years ago!!
As things continued and there was a brief lull, I looked over to where my wife and her mom were sitting. And at that moment I had the opportunity to participate with providence. I try to listen carefully for the still, small voice and it was clear that the thought came: "Tell the clerk about your situation". So I did. I told her that it looked like my wife and her mom would be sitting there for a while because the only other appointment I could get was at 2:40pm. Could my wife go to the first counter and check in since there were not many on the red carpet with appointments? She said, "Yes".
I told Marie and she went to check in but soon came back to sit down. The clerk saw this and when she was finishing everything but the picture part of the process called Marie up. She marked Marie's number and directed her to go ahead and stand on the red carpet.
I noticed later the person at the first desk came to check to see what happened. Marie told her and she was allowed to stay on the red carpet.
I finished my picture part of the Driver's License process and sat down watching my wife stand on the red carpet. I voiced a desire, "Lord it would be nice if Marie could get the same clerk". And that is what happened!
Because Marie got the same clerk the process went VERY smooth and fast (Marie's mom didn't have to go up to verify anything) and we were done and out of there just a little after 2pm (if I remember correctly it was 2:13pm).
We went on with our day, but a real relief came over me. It's not every day that events work out smoothly (I would venture to say usually there are proverbial speed bumps that slow things down), but that day it worked out. I am not sure that 3/22/22 will go down in the history books as anything monumental, but it will be yet another reminder of God's timing.
God's timing and promptings are perfect. Sometimes I see it in the moment, and sometimes I rush on or get absorbed in a hardship and don't notice it until after the fact. But still, His timing is a miracle - isn't it? You could try to tell me about it being coincidence, or use probability to explain elements of it, but when events happen in a way that Providence appears to be active ALL elements come together perfectly and the the timing is perfect. It is the timing that cannot always be explained - both in good times and in not so good times.
And that is what I choose to trust today: That God's timing is perfect. That He WILL work all things together for good (Romans 8:28). Even if I don't see it now, I pray that as time progresses I will look back to see God's Timing.