I love the word – serendipity. The meaning of this word is to find something unexpectedly. Most serendipities brim with delight, surprise and “oooooo-abilty.”
Horace Walpole first coined this word in 1754 in his retelling of a Persian tale The Three Princes of Serendip. Serendip was another name for the country we call Sri Lanka.
If you watch, God loves to send us serendipities each day to encourage us on our journey, to provide us with wisdom and guidance or just to pop into our day to let us know how much he loves us and is with us.
Here are six times lately where I tripped upon God’s gift of serendipity:
1. Opening my Bible to “just the right” word of hope I needed to take another step of faith
2. Looking up and witnessing God’s creative artistry in the clouds or sunset. He loves to play and paint in the sky, you know. And on my trip through Yellowstone this summer I just knew he had lots of fun fashioning that area.
3. Pausing and taking in the sound of my three month old granddaughter’s infectious giggle that bubbles up from deep within her belly and spreads delight into my heart
4. Discovering the power in three’s – If you watch and listen, God often gives guidance, gentle nudges and lessons three times. I love finding three’s in my life – a quote, a Bible verse, an overheard conversation, an email. Often in my monthly spiritual direction group, listening to the others, I see patterns emerging from their stories which are lessons for my story.
5. We passed a semi truck on the Indiana toll road last week. The large red letters printed on its side read “I Supply.” Okay, I know that was just the name of some supply company, but my heart leaped as I could almost hear God say to me, “I supply… I supply all that you need. I am your supplier.” Driving by that truck evolved into an unexpected moment of worship.
6. Friendship. I don’t like to ask for help and shy from sharing my deepest fears with others. God gives us community, though, to help us in those times. I am astonished when friends give up a Sunday afternoon to help move a much too heavy couch to my daughter’s home in Michigan and while there even mowed her yard. My spirit soars with the encouraging words and ideas from my online writers group. Whether in person or through cyberspace – God sends strength.
Discover how God touches your life and surrounds each moment with his presence – search for his Spiritual Serendipities.
Did you find serendipity today?
I received in the mail today Mary DeMuth’s new book to review. Yes, I know I signed up for this, but it’s fun to read free books and I get to yak about them later.
God’s lovely word today in my devo, too.
Good post.
Thanks for another great post Jean – Our meeting at Erma B’s (and ShoutLife) was God’s serendipity and I’ll be forever grateful!
Blessings, Mary
Serendipity is one of my favorite words, too. I love the way it sounds in my mouth. The “Dip” sign is clever — how cute!