Just as Jennifer was about to take freshly washed sheets to the backyard clothesline, she heard a knock at the kitchen door. Through the curtain she recognized the silhouette of her friend from down the street, Sarah. In tow were her two little boys.
Not another interruption, Jennifer thought. Between the cleanup of spilled orange juice in the fridge and the talkative A/C repair man, I’m never going to get the laundry done and finish vacuuming before I have to pick up Josh at preschool. Jennifer’s to-do list was longer than usual, and with company coming for the weekend, there was a deadline, too. Today was the only day she didn’t have to be at the floral shop where she worked part-time.
Jennifer could have pretended she wasn’t home, but felt compelled to open the door. She was so glad she did. Sarah was crying, although trying to hold back in front of her boys.
“Come on out to the yard with me,” suggested Jennifer, as she hefted the laundry basket once more. “The boys can play on the swing set and we can talk.”
While the two women hung sheets, Sarah confessed that her husband, Rob, had become very angry that morning and hit her. Hard. Sarah desperately needed someone to talk to.
Oh, Lord. What if I hadn’t opened that door?” thought Jennifer.
* * * * * * * * * *
Amy stood in line at the grocery store with her two-year old son strapped into the child’s seat. Behind her was an older gentleman.
“That’s a cute little boy you’ve got there,” he said. “Too bad they can’t stay cute and little.”
Amy smiled. “I guess we just have to look for the positives of each stage as they grow.”
“Yeah, well, there’s not much positive in a grown son who’s become a religious fanatic,” he replied. “Always talking about Jesus.”
Amy was shocked speechless. What an odd comment to make to a stranger.
It was Amy’s turn to line up her groceries on the conveyor belt; the conversation stopped.
In the parking lot, no sooner had Amy loaded her groceries into the trunk, than that same gentleman came walking toward her. His car was directly across from her. It seemed too coincidental.
I need to say something to him, don’t I, Lord, Amy thought, to let him know that Jesus is not who he’s been led to believe. Help me speak your words to him! And calm these butterflies, please!
With Sam still strapped in the child’s seat, Amy walked her cart across the aisle. “Sir,” she began. “I just wanted you to know that I’m a believer in Jesus, too. He’s made a huge difference in my life, and I am very glad I said yes to him!”
The man actually smiled. “Thank you, young lady.”
Two cars turned into their aisle, one from each direction. Amy had to get her cart out of the way, to open up the parking space where she stood.
“Well, good-bye, and God bless you!” she called as she scurried across, already praying. Oh, Father. Did I say enough? Were those the words he needed to hear? Use this encounter to get him thinking. May he reconsider what his son has been trying to tell him.
* * * * * * * * * *
At the end of a Sunday morning worship service, Sylvia and Michelle saw Cindy walk down to the altar. Cindy had been attending for a few weeks, and had even joined the choir.
The two friends left their seats to join Cindy. Her hands were already wiping away tears; her shoulders shook.
“Is there anything specific we can pray with you about?” Sylvia asked softly. Cindy shook her head.
So Michelle began to thank God for his peace and comfort when we’re hurting, for his power to handle any situation, for his wisdom and guidance to deal with challenging decisions.
Cindy continued to cry uncontrollably.
Michelle stopped praying. She felt a nudging in her spirit to ask, “Cindy, do you remember the day when you invited Jesus to be a part of your life?” She shook her head, no.
And so Sylvia and Michelle joyfully introduced Cindy to the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace.
The crying stopped, and Cindy broke into a radiant smile.
* * * * * * * * * *
Each day we have the choice to embrace God-ordained opportunities. Opportunities like:
- Inconvenient Interruptions
- Coincidental Encounters
- Whispered instructions
And no doubt your heart cries out as mine does: Lord, may I not miss a one!
Now, it’s confession time. These stories are based on actual events. Jennifer, Amy, and Michelle are really one person. Me.
Not that I have recognized or stepped out in faith in response to every opportunity God has provided. Far from. But as I recall times such as those described above, my resolve is strengthened.
I’m trying to remember: We will never regret embracing God-inspired opportunities; it’s the missed opportunities for which we will carry remorse.
Photo credits: www.pinterest.com; http://www.mprnews.org; http://www.istockphto.com.)
From the Inside Out 
So very true!! Sometimes there is only one time and we need to hear and obey that quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. Thanks for this good reminder!
You’re welcome, Betty. I needed the reminder myself!!
So very true Nancy and I know I have missed opportunities when the Holy Spirit spoke to me and i realized later I had missed an opportunity because I had not been obedient and we are sorry and confess for forgiveness but we lost the outreach for Jesus. This is a great reminder. Thank You!
Oh, yes — when we’re sorry about a missed opportunities and confess our selfishness or fear, he is ready to forgive (1 John 1:9). And I know that he will send another, more willing servant to fill the need that I passed by, but in so doing, I miss the blessing! Thus, today’s reminder!!
Could not agree more with the two previous comments. A friend used to pray, “Forgive us, Father, for the times we have failed you.” It is a good prayer.
Indeed! Thank you for being such a faithful follower of this blog, Grace, and taking the time to comment. Blessings to you, dear friend!
Nancy, this is a reminder that we are to “pray without ceasing”, and I’m sure we all miss many opportunities when we can let others know about our faith and help them at the same time.
Oh, yes! Prayerfully run errands, prayerfully sit in the hair stylist’s chair, prayerfully walk the neighborhood, etc. If we’re mindful that any moment might be a “divine appointment,” we’ll be more ready to respond. Thank you, Ruth!
This is an excellent blog entry, Nancy! I just read the comments, too. I thought I’d write about something that recently happened for me. I was having a mani/pedi and usually I don’t have a young man do my nails but this time, I had a young man. I was telling him I had five children and the second son died when he was 15. He asked me about how he died and I began to tell him the story. I heard the Lord say, “tell him the whole story!” The whole story includes how the Lord ministered to me when this happened and our son died in a drowning accident right after leading his new friend to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior! The man doing my nails stopped cold. He leaned in to say, “I almost died 3 times in drowning accidents and the last time, my brother saved me but I didn’t even know he was in the water! Yes, God does bring about many divine appointments in our lives and I’m listening to the Holy Spirit each time I’m out doing whatever errand I’m on. God is always putting His loved ones in the path of those who need to know the truth about who He is!! Again, thank you for how you presented this topic to encourage us to stay alert to God’s leading each day!
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a heart-touching story. First, I am so sorry that one of your precious children is separated from you right now. How wonderful, though, that you are able to tell his story for God’s glory! May God use you mightily, Maria, as you seek to take advantage of every opportunity to talk about Jesus. You are an inspiration!
I was just thinking about another reason to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as he guides people into my life, thus providing an opportunity to share the Lord Jesus with them… If I am obedient…the Lord is possibly using me as an instrument in answering the prayer of a loved one of the person I am talking to. That, in turn, gives me hope that my agnostic nephew (who doesn’t live near me) will run into another child of the Lord who…if obedient…will have the opportunity to lead him to the Lord. That is my prayer…to be a better instrument of the Lord. Wonderful stories, Nancy!
Oh, yes! God must take great pleasure in weaving the circumstances and encounters in our lives, fulfilling this purpose and that and ministering to this person and yet another all along the labyrinth. Thank you, Cheri, for adding this important reason to stay alert to God-inspired opportunities!
lots of wisdom here in all these God-Opportunities. I know interruptions is a trigger point for me so I have been trying to hold them more lightly lately and discovering all sorts of treasures I would have missed if I avoided them.
Terrific! You’ll have to write a post sometime about your experiences. I’d love to hear about some of those treasures, Jean!
Our grandson rolled his car last night and it landed on the drivers side. he was able to crawl out on his own through the passenger window with very minor injuries. the first thing I did was thank our Lord. Then took the opportunity to remind our grandson that the Lord is always with him and how much the Lord loves him.
Praise God for his protection! Thank you, Paulette, for sharing this uplifting story.
Look at all these lovely comments, Nancy! And there’s a good reason for that – this was wonderfully done. You tell stories so well!
Thank you, dear Diana, for your sweet encouragement!