Discussion: Nothing is a Coincidence
April 30, 2021
In the words of Leroy Jethro Gibbs (fictional character of TV show NCIS), "There is no such thing as a coincidence. Everything happens for a reason." Each week the show shows us how what seems to be a coincident, actual connects beyond just a thought. We define coincidence as a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without an apparent causal connection.
One day during the late 90s I read a news article of what appeared at the time was a coincidence. A man who got gas at the same station each week paying at the pump. On this day the payment card rejected, and he had to go inside to pay. The article stated a young Vietnamese man was behind the register who had just started working that day. When he stepped up to pay, he saw the young man’s name on the badge. He remarked it was his last name. The young man stated it was his last name, not first name. The customer asked where in his country did he live. His response prompted the customer to ask more questions.
He found out the young Vietnamese man had come to America hoping to find his father. The young man pulled out a picture of his mother to show him. The customer said he momentarily lost his sense of time, as he reached into his wallet and pulled out the same photo. He said he had fallen in love with this woman, but couldn’t bring her back to the States. After returning to the states, he lost contact with her. This young Vietnamese man said his mother had found out she was pregnant when the soldier had left. She knew what state he returned to, but nothing else. Was it a coincidence that of all days for his card to be denied, he would then walk into the store and cross paths with this young man? Per the article it stated the man said no one came into the store during the entire time of the conversation. The article ended stating that the man had eventually married and had children. He shared with his family of the encounter years ago while in the service. An unexpected outcome was his Vietnamese son became a vital part of their family. The father stated that for years he had carried the picture of his former love tucked in his wallet. He stated, “I never knew why, until now”. Was this a coincidence or divine appointment?
On the same day in the newspaper there was another story of a woman whose husband had died. She periodically over a two-year period went to the cemetery and would sit for hours. One day, she saw a limousine pull up and she noticed a man getting out carrying roses. The man walked over to where she was sitting and put the roses in front of the headstone beside that of her husband’s. He turned to her and said “It’s for our Anniversary.” He asked to sit by her and they chatted for a short period. The article goes on to state, the man said he was on his way out of town and even though their Anniversary wasn’t until three days he wanted to mark the occasion before he left. He said he had been doing this for five (5) years. After saying goodbye, they went their separate ways. Reading on, the article said they didn’t exchange any information. Approximately, a month or two later, both stated they had an overwhelming urge to go to the cemetery. As she was sitting in her usual place, she saw the limousine pull up and the same man she had met weeks before getting out of the vehicle. The outcome of this story? After a year of getting to know each other they got married. Was this a coincidence or divine appointment?
This is my belief about coincidences. I believe deep within me they are divine appointments. I have seen and heard of people who get fired (without a justifiable reason) and step into their best life ever. With a job, they may not have been open to the opportunity that was there for them. A chance meeting in the supermarket of two strangers, one overhearing the conversation of the other, and he had the answer to what he hears. Think of the time when you have said, “WOW what a coincidence that this happened.” You find yourself running late, attempting to leave the house for an important meeting at work and the garage door won’t open. You find you’ve gotten mad with the manufacturer and service person for taking hours to get there to get the door operating. Later you find out on the evening news the time you may have pass a particular point on the highway there was a fatal accident. In that accident, several people died at the scene.
The Reader’s Digest printed, ‘On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives. Yet there were ones who for a twist of fate kept them out of the World Trade Center on that fateful Tuesday morning.
What we call a coincidence can be a usual conversation to let you know not to go down a particular path. It can be an amazing business venture you embark upon after seeing someone on Facebook and reaching out. I remember while living in another state I had left a job, because of inter-office conflict. I heard of changes the company had made and after two (2) years, I reached out and see if the company was hiring. The Human Resources Personnel informed me they were not hiring, but had written my name for future reference. Later, the Vice-President of the company came in to talk to her. As he was leaving her office, he saw my name on her desk and inquired. She informed him I had called to see if they were hiring and she told me no. She stated she told him there were no positions available. His response was to make one available. I ended up meeting her on my first day back. She told me the Vice-President had no reason to come to her office, and when he did he basically had nothing to say. But as he was leaving he saw my name on her desk. I worked for that company for seven (7) more years. Was it a coincidence?
My goal is to alert you to what I believe are divine messages to you, a divine encounter. How often do we pray for divine guidance or answers we need? Again, you should always remember, the answer or goal we are looking for may not come clothed as we expect. The next time you hear yourself say, “Oh that is a coincidence” or “Something strange happened today.” Stop and take a moment… It could be a calling to not go take a specific path or a call to your best life ever! Think about this Discussion today, Is it a Coincidence?
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Thank you for joining me for Friday at Sundown. Remember… Just Breathe!
You can also find me on Facebook and Google under fridayatsundonw4 Thank you!
Resources Corner:
Psychological Trauma
GirlVictorious: Life After Trauma is a blog geared at helping women lead a meaningful, full, and victorious life after going through trauma.
Domestic Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline can help victims, survivors of domestic violence. Call 1-800-799-7233. Chat w/an advocate on our website. National Domestic Violence Hotline: www.thehotline.org/
Aid for Military Veterans
In an attempt to cope with the pain of overwhelming emotions, sometimes veterans turn to unhealthy relationships, at-risk behaviors, or substance abuse.
Welcome Home is Celebrate Recovery's (CR) tool to help veterans stuck in hurts, hang-ups, and habits. (These statements are from CR’s Homepage). You are not alone! https://www.welcomehome.celebraterecovery.com