Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Perfect Timing



My sweet father-in-law went home to heaven last week. The call came five minutes before we were leaving for the airport to fly north. Our plans to side our home in PA quickly changed and turned into well-spent time with family consoling each other. I like to think of this perfect timing as a God-coincidence.

We encounter many such incidents in our lives. If my husband hadn't lost his job and attended golf school, I wouldn't have found my topic for my debut novel. If we hadn't moved to Florida in 2001, my daughter might not have met her great husband. If I hadn't gone to a bar that night in 1976, I wouldn't have met my husband and eventually gotten my life on track. I could go on and on.

Then there's the flip side.

As writers, we wonder why those first five books won't sell. Why it takes so long to get an agent or find a publisher. Where is  the perfect timing then? Why is getting published so frustrating?

I've come to believe and accept that God's plans are much better than mine. In my case, I had to write seven novels before I understood the craft. I needed the time to read craft books, meet critique partners and find what genre suites me best. I also had to settle down and not get so emotional about my writing. Learn to take rejection and realize it isn't the end of my world because someone doesn't like what I write.

For I know the plans . . .

Can you look back and see the perfect coincidences in your life? I would love to hear one!



15 comments:

Sally Wessely said...

God has us where he wants us. Of that I am sure. I think of this a lot. A late flight may just be because God is sparing us from something up ahead. Yes, I've had the coincidences in my life. I even think of my father's death. I was teaching and he had been ill. He thought I was on Spring Break and was taken to the hospital. I was not on break until the next week. I left school and drove across the state to be with him anyway on a Thursday. He died on Monday. I do think he held on until he knew my job would not be affected by his death. I wonder if you FIL sensed you were coming out.

I wish I could have met you. Next time...

Karen Lange said...

He orders our steps, that's for sure. When I think of the things He's placed me in and gotten me out of, I am so grateful. We cannot see the big picture, but He can. Thanks so much for this reminder!:)

Terri Tiffany said...

So do I! It wasn't meant to be.

Terri Tiffany said...

Being grateful for whatever circumstances come our way is what counts.

Susan said...

Among the best-----leaving the east to attend school in the southwest and meeting my hubs!

Choosing to write for most of my life and working in human services for as many years.....all enriching my life beyond my ability to imagine it.

Thanks for your visit. Susan

Marja Verschoor-Meijers said...

Great inspirational post, thanks Terri. Looking back... hmm, I have to think about it :)

Rachna Chhabria said...

I agree that God's plans for us are way better than the plans we make, its just that it takes us some time to come to that understanding.

Joanne Sher said...

Terri - I could go ON and ON about this one. My husband's tumor diagnosis came just a couple months before he was set to be laid off (which would have caused him to lose his health insurance), trying for years to get pregnant and having it happen just a few months after we both got saved. On and on and on.

SUPER post, my friend.

Crystal Collier said...

Oh yeah. There have been so many instances. I think one of my favorites was when, by divine blessing, we were able to purchase a van after our car died. We were in NYC and you couldn't just get a used car there. It either came from a chop shop, or the people were trying to charge you 23% interest (while calling it 7%). We found the van on ebay, and you know how ebay bids always shoot up last minute? It didn't. We got the vehicle for $4,000 less than what they were trying to sell it on the lot. Now the clincher, it was in Arizona. Surprise, surprise, my father in law had a golf trip scheduled for the very next weekend for the SAME city. (We'd had no idea.) He was able to pick up the van and drive it out to us. When we sat the car next to the van, it looked like the car had been morphed into a larger vehicle. (Same paint and gold stripe.) Coincidence? I think not.

Condolences on your father-in-law.

Great Grandma Lin said...

I met my husband at a singles dance. Newly divorced it was his first dance and he couldn't even dance. We've been married 21 years now though he still doesn't dance...lol!

Jeanette Levellie said...

You are so right, dear. God's plans are higher and lovelier than our fondest dreams.

When I prayed that God would send a new acquaintance a wife, I had no idea it would end up being me! That was over 40 years ago, and we are still married. Best prayer of my life!

Empty Nest Insider said...

I'm so sorry about your father-in-law. It was nice that you spent time comforting your family. Interesting how good things often come out of bad situations. Looking forward to learning more about your debut novel!

Julie

Heckety said...

We must be on a similar wavelength this week! I agree with all you say, but this morning I wrote a post on the flip side of yours, waiting on God's timing! Great minds? Great God???

Nikki (Sarah) said...

Coincidences - when a preacher stole my manuscript and started selling it as his own, I wondered why God would let that happen. But the guy had introduced me to a woman heading a huge ministry before all that happened. She became a mentor and friend and it was through her that someone donated $5000 to put my Deception book into a small pocket size edition to give free to women in prison and living on the streets. I probably would never had met that women if it hadn't been for him. All things really do work together for our good. Have an amazing weekend Terri. You inspire big time!!!!

Connie Arnold said...

God bless and comfort you and your family in your loss. It is always such a blessing to look back and see how things have worked out for good according to God's plan.