Serendipity:“the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way”
After a very productive but relaxed Saturday morning, I still had a few more computer tasks, so I took my laptop to the living room for a change of scenery. The blinds were open and I saw the couple across the street putting up their Christmas lights. I turned on my lamp and started to work. Soon the neighbor, having seen that I was home, came to my door with an invitation to the Christmas lighting block party on Sunday afternoon.
Thinking my house would look pretty forlorn among all the lighted homes, I asked the Lord, “Do I really want to go to Target at noon on the Saturday after Thanksgiving?” The answer seemed to be yes. When else would I be able to put up the lights before the party? Not at night, in the dark! And not Sunday morning. I would be at church all morning from 8:30 on, followed by orchestra rehearsal in the afternoon.
The Target parking lot was full, and so was the store. After selecting the lights, I saw a cute little fox and thought a Knox’s fox would fit perfectly between the two bushes I planned to decorate. The check-out lady asked, “Did you find everything you were looking for?” I replied that I had. Then I “just happened” to mention that I should have bought an extension cord, too, but I guessed I would come back later if I needed it. She scanned my purchases and said, “You should probably get it now. If you spend $19 more on Christmas stuff, you’ll be eligible for $50 off.” For another $22 I bough a cord and timer, and saved $50.
Turned out I did need the cord. When hooking the strings od lights together, it looked like I would need still another cord. But before running to the store, I asked, “Lord, is there some way to do this without another cord?” There was! So, three hours after leaving the house, I finished the job. I realize it isn’t very creative or artistic, and next year I’ll start a little earlier and do a better job. But I had lights when it came time to turn them on along with the rest of the neighbors.
When I went back inside, I looked again at the invitation, and saw I was to bring a lawn chair. I realized my lawn chairs were in the back of my car – in my garage in Illinois! Several possible ideas came to mind, none very good. Then a very gentle voice said, “Ask your neighbors if you can borrow one from them.” That conversation yielded not only the loan of a chair, but also a nice chat and an opportunity to get to know the neighbors better.
As I reflected on the day, I thought about all the serendipities, and how perfectly all the timing worked out. Oh, and by the way, unbeknownst to me, the fox was a very sought-after item and I got the last one. This little fox will not spoil the vine. Instead, he will remind me that God is interested in every detail of my life, even Christmas lights.
