God's Perfect Timing
- Richard Selke
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
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My daughter’s and son-in-law’s marriage was coming to an end. For some time, I had wondered: What would become of Susan’s and my relationship with his parents after the divorce?
We were not close, but our times together had always been cordial and pleasant. They had been kind to us, and we do share three grandchildren. I felt it was important for our relationship to continue – but I did not know when or how to reach out to them. I decided to wait until the divorce was final and things had settled down. I prayed about it – not with eloquent words or clear certainty – but with a simple request: Lord, please help me to do the right thing, at the right time, in the right way.
It was almost time.
The Bible reminds us: “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9, ESV
One day I had an appointment with my primary care physician. Bloodwork was required, which meant fasting. Fasting is always difficult for me – no morning coffee, no breakfast – and so I try to schedule those appointments as early in the day as possible. By the time I left the doctor’s office around 10:45 a.m., all I could think about was food.
Breakfast or lunch? The Buffalo Grill or Beck’s Prime? The Buffalo Grill on Bissonnet or the one on Voss? What about COVID? Should I eat inside or drive-through? If I went inside, which Buffalo Grill would be safer? The one on Bissonnet was closer to the Medical Center, which meant, possibly, more people with cooties! But I was starving, so I headed for the Bissonnet location.
I left the Medical Center and drove down Sunset toward Wesleyan. I turned right onto Kirby and then left onto Bissonnet. When I reached Wesleyan, my mind was elsewhere, and I turned right and found myself heading away from the Buffalo Grill and toward I-59. In that moment I decided I would just get on I-59 and head west and eat at Beck’s Prime in Katy. But something stopped me. Something nudged me. Something I have come to recognize as the quiet leading of the Holy Spirit.
I went through the light at I-59, made a U-turn and pulled into the Buffalo Grill.
I walked inside about 11:15. The restaurant was not crowded. No one was wearing a mask. I placed my breakfast order and chose a table in the center of the main room. After a moment, I reconsidered – lunch time was approaching, the lunch crowd would be arriving and I didn’t want to be surrounded. So, I moved into another room on the east side of the restaurant.
I spotted a table in the corner and as I approached it, there, alone at the table next to it, sat my former in-law!
I greeted him, he greeted me and I joined him. He ate his lunch. I ate my breakfast. We talked about COVID and Methodist Hospital. We talked about the University of Texas and its move into the SEC. I asked about his wife. He asked about Susan. And we talked about our children and our grandchildren.
It was a good conversation. A peaceful one. I said everything I wanted to say to him. I expressed sadness that the marriage had not worked out. We agreed that, regardless of what had happened, we would continue to support our children and try to be the best granddads we could be for our grandchildren. We agreed to stay in touch. I hope we will.
Running into him at the Buffalo Grill was not an accident. It was a timely and gracious answer from God to one of my most personal prayers. God arranged a meeting I did not know how to arrange. God opened a door I did not know how to approach.
I was reminded, once again, that God is present with me, and with all of us, all of the time. God works quietly, patiently and lovingly, often in ways that only make sense in hindsight.
Praise the Lord!
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, God's timing is always perfect!
QUESTION
Where in your life might God be quietly at work – even if it currently feels like delay, confusion or coincidence?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help us to trust You when we cannot see the whole picture. Teach us patience when we want instant answers, and gratitude when we recognize Your hand at work. Thank You for opening our eyes to Your presence in the ordinary moments of our lives.
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil and the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24, ESV
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!
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