Good timing is something I’ve always been fairly attuned to. When I’m playing the piano, I can hear good timing in how the keys are struck. In my athletic career, I could see good timing when I’d complete a leading pass. Surfing. Shopping. Cooking. Comedic pause. If you look, you can find examples of good timing in nearly everything.
In October 2022, my handsome husband and I (and “Uncle Matt,” not pictured) attended a wedding for one of their Marine buddies.
And then there’s God’s perfect timing. Sometimes I’m aware of it as it’s happening; a lot of the time I can’t appreciate it until after the fact. But there have been countless times in my life where amazing events have unfolded by nothing short of divine providence and God’s perfect timing.
Exhibit A: How I met my husband.
The CliffNotes version is that we were both driving on the freeway at the same time. I noticed his Toyota Tacoma because I had recently blown the engine in my 1990 Toyota pick-up truck, may she rest in pieces. Ray (being Ray), assumed I was checking him out. I sped up; he sped up to catch me. He hand-signaled his phone number out the window so I could call him. And we were married about a year later.
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven
As shown in Solomon’s poem from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (KJV), God is sovereign over all creation, and time is a way He reveals His sovereignty to mankind:
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven –
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
A time to get, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.
Sounded familiar, didn’t it?? I just made the connection today.
I’ve been noticing God’s Perfect timing in our life lately.
I’m still reflecting on the timing of my salvation (and will be sharing my written testimony once I’ve studied and ordered my thoughts). But one date I am sure of is my believer’s baptism on October 30, 2022.
In the year leading up to my baptism, there had been a dramatic change in my marriage, in my life, and in my heart. Over that period, the weight of my sin and a true appreciation for Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for me started to become more clear to me. In essence, I went from knowing about Jesus to knowing Jesus. So before my baptism, I had prayed to know Him more. I asked Him to transform my life and make me the person He wants me to be.
Bed resting and still attempting to get in our Sunday-after-church nap.
Based on his due date, the doctors estimate that Ronin was conceived in the week following my baptism. Perfect timing.
I don’t believe that God caused this to happen to Ronin, but that He’s allowed it to happen. I believe that we live in a fallen world with sickness and death due to sin. God allows what He hates – to accomplish what He loves. I trust His promise to work this difficult time for His good (Romans 8:28).
It’s made me wonder: What if this had happened when I was still juggling full-time work and motherhood? When my marriage was hanging on by a thread? When we lived far away from family, and even further away from Christ?
But it didn’t. It all had to be in God’s perfect timing.
Mark
June 11, 2023 at 6:30 amBeen praying for you … to experience God’s comfort.
This morning listening to James Taylor … https://youtu.be/zls8DFx9UCw
And thinking on how sweet it is to know HIS LOVE… may you dance in His sweetness each morn.
This is my prayer.
Hayley Rigali
June 11, 2023 at 8:49 amThank you, Mark. What a great start to the day! I love that song, and I 100% agree. May you have a blessed Sunday and week ahead filled with HIS love.