Sunday, October 6, 2013

Serendipity and stuff like that ~

I have been studying all day. Our teacher told us that it is important to take a break every 2 hours, even if it is to do a load of laundry, take a walk, wash the dishes... those things have to be done too! So while I'm studying, I keep having thoughts that just get me off track. I was still reading but not comprehending because I'm thinking about something else.

I was thinking about all I have to do tomorrow, I was thinking about my parents and their health, I was thinking about how nice it would be to have a good cup of coffee... And finally, I was thinking about how grateful I am for everything in my life.

It's funny (not haha funny) how we go through something tough and we hate it but then when we get through it we think, "WOW! I can't believe I made it through that!" There are lots of times that has happened to me and I look back and see how things turned out for the best... You can call it providence, call it luck, call it serendipity if you want - just a happy accident or pleasant surprise. I choose to call it a blessing, sometimes in disguise. (Oh wow, I made a rhyme!)

I have a lot of examples. I'll share some of them with you so you can rejoice in the blessing too. And it might even help you recognize some blessings that you have received as well!

1) I recently had to find a different job position. I was so worried... I applied for millions of jobs (ok, it was really only around 40) and gone on interview after interview. Some of them seemed a perfect fit for my schedule and location. And I was also on a tight time line. So when I started getting rejection after rejection, I was livid. And then finally, I got a call for a job. It wasn't the first one I interviewed for. It wasn't near my house or as soon as I had hoped. But everyone keeps telling me that this is the best nurse manager I could have ever hoped for. She didn't tell me what days I would work, she asked me which days I could work. I've also been told that the unit as a whole is cohesive and works together. That's a big plus in my book. I'm glad I didn't get the first job I applied for.

2) A few years back, when I lost my job, I thought my world had come to an end. The unfairness of the situation, what it would mean for my future... I could not fathom how this could happen. I'm a good person, I never dreamed I would ever be put in this predicament. I wanted to be bitter and I kind of wanted revenge, as much as I hate to say it. But I kept going. I took a job that paid much less, a job I didn't find interesting or exciting. The thing that is amazing is that I had much better insurance than at my previous job. The reason this is so important?? A year later I was diagnosed with cancer. If I'd had the insurance from my previous job it would have meant ruin. I probably never would have recovered financially. Coincidence? Probably not.

3) Here's another recent one. This summer, I was struggling to figure out what to do. On the one hand, people say "If it don't come easy, then it wasn't meant to be" and on the other hand they say, "If it's worth having, it's worth fighting for." So which is it?!?! So I finally called my mother and asked her to pray. I said if this is what I am supposed to do, then I need someone to call me and tell me. Like tomorrow morning. Because I've never been one for patience... So the next day, bright and early I was sitting at my desk when the phone rang. Someone I had talked to once in my lifetime and seen in person only once another time, was on the other end. She asked me about nursing school and I told her I wasn't sure I was going to go... yada yada yada... and she said, "Oh, no you have to go. You have worked too hard to get where you are now and you can't stop, you just have to go on to school, that's all there is to it." So guess what?? I'm going. I prayed for someone to call and they did! Serendipity?? Oh please! Oh and she and I are good friends now...

Now I'm not saying that bad things don't happen. I'm just saying that when they do, there is often a reason behind it. I like this verse and think of it often:
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to HIS purpose." - Romans 8:28
I have a long ways to go. I have trust issues and I sometimes get sidetracked with my own agenda. But the truth is that I do love God and want to do his purposes. I believe that all things have so far worked together for my good.

When have you seen the serendipity of God in your life?? Please share with us!!