October 1, 2022
“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26
A daunting dilemma . . .
My husband and I hotfooted it off the cruise ship and fairly skipped to shore, ready to experience the small island. Upon entering the village, Bob, being a history buff, spotted a museum he wanted to visit. I preferred adventure, so I bid him goodbye and set off to explore the area. A tiny, rickety kiosk, promising a tour to a palace on the coastal shore, drew my attention. As I attempted to gain information from the person manning the window, I couldn’t quite make out everything, as I didn’t speak the native language. I asked for a ticket anyway and was surprised when the person wouldn’t take my money. I finally figured out I was to pay when I got back. Eventually, after much finger pointing, I understood I was to wait “over there.”
Finally, the “bus” arrived. I climbed into the back of a much-in-need-of-repair van. Three rows of locals (I assumed so because they talked with one another) sat in front of me. Off we went through the town. Occasionally the driver stopped suddenly in the middle of the road. One or two individuals would emerge from somewhere and hop on board. This routine continued even after we were well into the countryside.
I looked at my watch. I was supposed to meet Bob within two hours of my leaving him at the museum. Thirty minutes had already passed and I could see nary a hint of the coastline. More time ticked off the clock when the driver swerved to the side of the road and pointed at a villa. I understood him to tell me this was my stop.
“How will I get back?” I asked.
In broken English he said I was to stand by the side of the road and someone would stop to pick me up.
Okay, so this plan sounded less than desirable. I shook my head and made him understand I had changed my mind and wanted to return to town. He ground into gear and took off. On and on through the country we went. My nerves fired uh oh. Alarm bells blasted in my head and beat at my chest.
How was it possible for me to get back to town before the ship sailed? I prayed my guts out. Please, God, find a way to get me there. On time.
The van continued further and further in the opposite direction of the ship.
Much, much time later, the driver stuck his arm out the window and waved at an oncoming vehicle. Both stopped in the middle of the road. My driver said something to the other guy. Each motioned for me to get out and get in the other van. I did and tried to pay the first driver. He waved me off and pointed to the other fellow.
Yikes! More prayers. And much more time rumbling through the countryside. My time was drawing short—I imagined in more ways than one. This impossible situation had me near tears. And I hoped I had enough money to pay for all this sightseeing through a smudged window.
At last I recognized familiar territory. Whew. The bus rumbled to a stop beside the kiosk where I’d started this hoped-for adventure. I gathered up all the bills I had in my purse and handed them to the driver. When he only took a small amount, I insisted he take more. He was having none of it and drove off.
Quickly, I hurried on shaky legs to meet Bob. As he spied me, he glanced at his watch and said, “You had one more minute before I was going back to the ship. Where have you been?” I will let you imagine the tone in his voice.
With God All Things Are Possible!
I share this one incident—where I made a stupid and scary decision—to state unequivocally that with God all things are possible. Where there seemed to be no way, God made a way. Not for one minute during my ordeal did He leave me. And He put me in the hands of people who would not harm me, but rather take good care of me.
Some might argue that things worked out because of coincidence, and that God hadn’t actually answered my prayers—that the drivers’ schedules were already established. God isn’t bound by time, so He knew all the way ahead of time of my predicament and the prayers I would be launching upward. So, just for a moment, if you are one who believes in coincidence, I would ask you to consider:
“Coincidence is nothing more nor nothing less than God at work.”
Are you in a situation where a solution appears impossible? Are you struggling to make ends meet? Is a relationship going south, and on the face of it, unsalvageable? Are you suffering from a health issue?
With God, finding a solution to each of these is possible.
Now, that doesn’t mean if you ask Him to solve your problem, He will presto-whamo fix it. But He will help you find ways to endure, to gain strength, to find joy in the midst of your troubles, to let go and let Him help you. Eventually, you will come to the other side of this seemingly no-way-out-island. You are not abandoned—never alone.
With God, the possibilities are endless.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord for your creative ways to help me. Open my eyes to see the wonder of your works in my life.
Thought for the Day: “Coincidence is the word we use when we can’t see the levers and pulleys.”—Emma Bull
If you would like to converse with someone about this topic, please consider contacting me, or Linda Meskew on her website: Spirituality and Wellness. She would love to help you explore this issue and other questions you may have.
Great and scary story Mary. Thankful you survived! I know I give things up to God daily (usually work or someone’s health), and even though I have know idea how any issue will turn out, it’s comforting to know He’s listening, & He gives me the strength to keep going.
Yes, Barbara, we can be assured of God’s comfort and listening ear, and His strength to keep on keepin’ on.
What a story. My stomach cringed. This is my fear on cruises when we get taxis and don’t do a ship’s sponsored tour. Getting left would be catastrophic……thank God he always has our backs. Hugs!!
Yeah, Gloria, I don’t think I’ll be going off on my own again. Too much worry for my husband.
Mary, this story reminded me of a time when I was in France, visiting the Louvre, when I became separated from my group. Because it took me so long to find my way out of the museum, I ended up running after my bus, which I saw pulling out of the parking lot and onto the street. Talk about a panic… all I could say is, “Dear God please help!” Thank goodness another passenger saw me out of the bus window and told the bus driver! Yes truly, all things are possible with God, and He is always watching over us. He is with us always.
Linda, I can visualize you running for the bus with concern on your face. I’m glad God answered your prayer right away!
When I point out that something was God working behind the scenes to take care of us to other people I’m almost always met with a statement about coincidences. Oh well, I know it’s God!
Keep on believing, Ruby!
So much to ponder and what a coincidence this post would land right in the middle of my own experience with Hurricane Ian ; ) We were Ian’s target, evacuated and then Ian turned south and took out much of Fort Myers, which is about a two hour drive south from my house. I prayed for God to spare our area, as I am sure every Floridian from Fort Myers did too. Some lost loved ones, some lost their homes but none lost God. My prayers were answered, my house was spared. It’s difficult to explain “answered prayers” especially to those who feel as if their prayers weren’t answered. I will continue to pray for God to spare me but my truest prayer for myself is that no matter the situation, others will see Jesus through me proclaiming God is still God whatever the loss.
What a wonderful testimony, Marcy, and how perfectly stated and put into perspective. One wonders at times like these why God answers some prayers in the way people ask, yet others don’t get theirs answered as they’d wanted or hoped for.