The Power of the Inconvenient, Part 2

I spent most of the other night focused on my job situation when I should have been sleeping.  In fact, I'm not sure that I slept at all.  But I do know that I spent most of the night praying silently about my job situation, concern about bills and if I'd have enough money to pay them, and what direction to go next.

After a long, unrestful night of sleep, our dog Elvis got me up at about 6:00 a.m. wanting to get outside, so I got up, rubbed my eyes, and took him for a walk through a nearby park.  

To be blunt, I wasn't in the greatest of moods, being very tired and focused on events of the previous few days.  Elvis also had a mind of his own on that walk and tried to chase after a few rabbits and squirrels.  He had to stop and smell each and every little smell when all I wanted to do was get home and make some coffee.  To add to my frustration, Elvis hadn't done what we came to the park to do, if you know what I mean.

As we walked in the grass, I noticed a woman approaching us as she walked on the nearby path.  "Act like you don't see her.  I'm in no mood to visit," I told myself.  (I had sunglasses on, so it wouldn't be hard to make it look like I didn't see her since she couldn't see my eyeballs)

Elvis had another idea:  Run to her and drag your master along!  When Elvis is determined, he puts all of his 84 pounds of power into his efforts.  I was in no mood to resist, especially when the woman yelled, "Is that Elvis?"

"Great," I mumbled to myself.  "Someone who knows Elvis.  Now I have to go and talk."  I put on my best smile as Elvis dragged me over to her, and said, "Good morning."  

As we talked about the weather, how old Elvis is, and the woman's own dog, the woman suddenly began talking about church; how her and her husband's recent experience at their church drove them away; how their son discovered the Bible; how she wanted to get to know God again and find a church, but wasn't sure where to begin.  And since our conversation took such a drastic turn, all I could do was remind myself to be available to encourage and support someone who was seeking God.  

The remainder of our half hour conversation on the path in the park, I'm certain, was meant to be.  We discussed how God seeks and pursues us; how He uses events to draw us to Him; how the abuses of the past are not what God wants; about turning from our sins, receiving His grace, and beginning new; how our conversation was meant for us both this morning.

Isn't that the way God works sometimes?  Taking the most inconvenient moments, where we're self-absorbed and ignoring all else, and turning them into events that can turn a life toward the good?

- Where are the inconvenient moments in life that are full of potential, if we'll just listen and be available?

- How can we be sure that we don't miss out on a potentially divine moment?

- Today I'm committing myself to be open to being available for a divine moment.