22nd October 2019

I wonder if you have ever planned something then, for some unknown reason within you, you change your mind and cancel your plans, choosing to do something different instead? Only to find out that, should your plans have gone ahead, you would have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. This happened to me and Lesley when we were planning to go off on holiday around the north of Scotland, for the October school break. Having changed our plans, we decided to just spend the week at our home in Largs.

As Callum, our younger son, was back at university we decided to take my mum up to visit and go out for tea. So, Lesley, Lauder (our older son), mum and I got into the car and drove to Glasgow. As we approached the Kinston Bridge, on a wet Sunday night, the car battery warning-light came on. Not being in a practical place to stop on the motorway, I continued to drive. We managed to get to Callum's flat; park up; and then my car died! Nothing for it but to call out the recovery service on my mobile phone. This I did while everyone went into the local restaurant for dinner.

Within an hour my car was on the back of a rescue vehicle. I can't imagine what would have happened if we were in some remote place in the north of Scotland; or how long it would have taken for a recovery vehicle to come and help us. Having finished our dinner, we got a taxi back to Largs. I was then able to take Lesley's car and safely deposit mum in her own house. Everything was fine. Nothing too traumatic!

The next day, however, I received a call from one of my sisters (I have four). Mum isn't answering her phone. We're all worried! Could I go the house and check on her? Using Lesley's car, I did. All was well. For some reason mum's phone was on silent! Everything was well once more. I'm glad we were not in the north of Scotland!

The following day, having enjoyed a nice walk around Cumbrae, I received another call from a different sister. Mum had fallen and broken her hip! With my car still in a local garage for repair I was fortunate enough to take Lesley's car again and go to the hospital. Once more, I can't imagine how I would have been able to do this if our original plans had taken place!

There are just some times in life when you know that you are not in control of what is happening. As in many other situations in my life, I definitely believe that God's hand was upon us guiding us to the place where we would be of greatest service. In this case it was with my family; at other times it has been for other people. I find that, when you place your trust in God, through Jesus, and let God's hand guide you, things just seem to fall into place.

I wonder if you have found this to be true, also?

With every blessing. Graham