In 1998 a movie titled Sliding Doors featured a woman named Helen who had a bad day at work. She got fired. On the way home she missed the train. Before the doors closed she got a glimpse of herself boarding the train in a “parallel universe.” The movie follows both Helens. The one that made the train lives a prosperous life while the Helen that missed the train struggles to find her direction and purpose.
Janet and I talk about how the choices we made early in life (and those made for us) have somehow brought us together. Her mother moved her and her sisters to Chicago where I lived. I missed the transfer date to the school I wanted to attend. I ended up attending school with Janet. I consider myself to be a logical person who shuns the concept of coincidence. I believe in cause and effect. I believe God has a hand in my life because He knew me before I was born and has a plan for my life.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” Jeremiah 1:5
We missed a tragic traffic accident. We uncharacteristically got on the road early. We were two hours ahead of the accident. Lives were lost and many were hurt. I was on my way to the airport on 9-11. My life has been filled with joy and pain. In the midst of it all God has introduced some incredible folks into my life to walk with me. The list of folks is vast and versatile. You may never know how much you contributed to my growth and the growth of my family. I am not sure if I missed or made the train. I do know that I am thankful for the life that God has allowed me to live for His glory. Janet and I have made it a habit to pray each day and give thanks to Him for our blessings. While doing this we realized how “rich” we actually are. Let everyday be a day of thanksgiving in your life. You are not a coincidence. He set you apart for a time such as this. Every day is a day of thanks giving because every day I have an opportunity to do your will your way.
Lord God My Father, My Redeemer, My Savior, thank you for being God and being God all by yourself. Thank you for the good the bad and the ugly that you have allowed to enter into my life. I know that they all will be for your glory... Amen
