Several years ago, I was waiting for an evening connection flight from Reagan Airport to South Bend, Indiana, where Joyce (my wife) would meet me.
Shortly after checking in at the gate an ominous voice came over the loudspeaker announcing that my flight was delayed an hour, which could cause connection problems. I called Joyce to let her know.
Later, more dismal news blared — the flight was now cancelled. Bus transportation would take us to Baltimore International Airport for those who wanted to try and make connections from there. Again, I called Joyce to tell her my destination was now Kalamazoo, Michigan, with arrival about 1:00 AM. I had no more than hung up when the airline representative informed us the promised buses could not possibly reach Baltimore in time to catch the Michigan-bound flight. Severe weather forced Reagan Airport to close for the night.
Unhappy at spending another night away from home, I thought of an Aunt and Uncle in Silver Spring, Maryland, who had not seen their long, lost nephew (me) for a while. I got some change and went to a pay phone to alert them of a pending surprise visit. Like most Adventist pastors, I carried a little black pocket appointment book in which I had written important addresses, phone numbers, and other personal data. I opened the book, laid it down by the phone, and dialed my Uncle Jack, who welcomed me to spend the night and urged me to hurry as the Metro shut down at 11:00 PM. I turned and asked the man behind me where I could catch the shuttle bus that would take me to the Metro station. He replied, “Hurry; it is about to leave.” Grabbing my bags, I ran, barely squeezing thru closing bus doors.
What a day! My carefully coordinated trip seemed successful, but another night away from home (home being wherever Joyce is)? No need to fret, so I relaxed on the Metro and looked forward to seeing my relatives. When I put my new airline ticket in my briefcase, I realized I had left the appointment book by the pay phone. Uh Oh.
I knew returning to retrieve it would be futile. I felt even worse when I remembered all my per diem pay, in cash, was inside that book, and that my loss was caused by my own carelessness. Normally, I get very upset over such events as my family can well testify. I am not an easy-going man, and don't take mistakes lightly. But for some reason (I like to think it is evidence of some Christian growth), this time I simply breathed a prayer to God, "Father, the money isn't as important as that book. I don’t want the information in it to be misused and cause more problems.” A sense of calm (or perhaps resignation) swept over me as I trusted God, knowing somehow He would take care of this matter.
When I arrived at my uncle's home, I called airport security – nothing had been turned into lost and found. Around 2:00 AM Uncle Jack woke me to take a telephone call from my father. Immediately, I thought something bad happened to mother or someone else in the family. Instead, Dad asked, "Son, did you lose something?" I explained about the appointment book. Dad had just received a call from a man who had found the date book and thought it belonged to my father. He told Dad he remembered a soldier in uniform making a call and quickly leaving the airport terminal. Then he noticed the little black book, picked it up, and tried to catch up with the officer. The bus had already left. The man called my father and wanted to know how he could return it. Then Dad went on the mention that the finder was an officer in the Lord's Army, a minister in the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
I knew that Divine Providence had over-ruled my misfortune. Elder Louis Ramirez found the book, called my father, who in turn located me at my aunt and uncle's house in the middle of the night while I was sleeping. By the time I returned home to Fort Lewis, Washington, the little black book with all the money in it was waiting for me in the mail.
Before we call, God answers; while we speak, He hears. God does rule. His will and plans for us are worked out in more ways than we can ever possibly imagine, devise, or understand. The real issue for you and me is trust that is not dependent on circumstances, body chemistry, comfort or convenience. No wonder we are told:
“Christ in His life on earth made no plans for Himself. He accepted God's plans for Him, and day by day the Father unfolded His plans. So should we depend upon God, that our lives may be the simple outworking of His will. As we commit our ways to Him, He will direct our steps... God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him” (Ministry of Healing, 479).
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Gary R. Councell
Gary Councell is the former Director of the General Conference Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries. Gary and Joyce Councell live in Sydney, Ohio, and are involved in various ministries in the area.