Supernatural "Coincidences"

God is writing amazing stories in our patient rooms every day. We recently asked Watermark Health Pastoral Care volunteer and Shift Leader, Arnie Knecht to share about a surprising encounter he had in a patient room and how it impacted his view of God.

Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours ..." - 1Chronicles 29:11

Every now and then, God chooses to manifest His presence at our clinic in ways that are clearly and uniquely providential. In these instances, it's as if He's telling us, "I am always with you, and I just want to provide you this special moment today as indisputable proof that nothing escapes me, and that I am absolutely sovereign over every inch of my creation." Here's a story of one of those supernatural occasions: 

I was recently visiting with a gentleman who was experiencing anxiety and discouragement over a mix of challenging developments in his work and family life. In the midst of sharing the weight of his current circumstances, he at one point spontaneously interrupted his lament, changed direction, and began recalling the different occasions in his past when God's grace and provision had met him at his place of need. As I marveled at our friend's agility, I couldn't help but smile. Without realizing it, he was fulfilling the Biblical prescription for "the peace which surpasses all understanding" given to us in Philippians 4:6-7. Here Scripture reveals that the key to attaining that transcendent peace is to "pray with thanksgiving," and that is exactly what our brother was doing. While pouring out his current troubles, he was recalling God's past faithfulness and deliverance.  Those remembrances are what inspire our confidence, and consequent peace, as we face our current trials.

Then something undeniably supernatural happened.

After we prayed for the Lord's help and direction, I suggested that a practical step toward relieving some of his economic stress might be for his wife to consider returning to work. He said she had actually been trying to do that for some time but had been unsuccessful in finding a job. At that moment, his phone rang and registered a number he didn't recognize. I told our friend to feel free to answer if so led and as he did, I began to walk out the door of the treatment room to give him privacy. He signaled for me to stay in the room and turned on the speaker on his phone.

It was a lady looking for his wife in order to set up an interview for a job the wife had previously applied for. He wrote down the info and the interview was scheduled. He ended the call, turned to me with an ear to ear smile and proclaimed, "God's providence!" We laughed, hugged, and rejoiced at His perfectly timed encouragement.

God teaches me more about Himself every time I serve at Watermark Urgent Care. This experience reinforced in me His attribute of absolute sovereignty; He superintends over all His creation, every occurrence, every transaction, every minute of every day. 

There are many things in God's universe that occur coincidentally ... but there are no coincidences! 

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being" (Revelation 4:11).