Never a Coincidence

So, the story of my life is bumping into people that I know. It's not just a social occasion, but there is ALWAYS a deeper, underlying spiritual message that God has for me. Here's what happened to me today.

John and I attended the funeral of a young man named Jesse whom we used to attend church with at our previous home church, Grace Baptist. We were there for 9 years and the attendance was usually around 25 people, so we were very close knit and we had the opportunity to get to know Jesse pretty well. Jesse was being raised by his grandparents and attended regularly from about the age of 12-18 years old. We hadn't seen him for about 3 years when we received the sad news that he was tragically killed in a car wreck over this past weekend. We are so thankful that he knew Jesus and is in Heaven!

He was planning to marry Heidi, the mother of his 3 year old son, Austin. He was going to also adopt her other son whose now 16 months old. They were not planted in a church and I'm not sure of where she stands with God. Today was of course a tough, heart-wrenching day for the entire family. I was able to hug and grieve with most of his close family members...all except Heidi. My heart literally broke for her as I overheard her little son's question of "Mommy, where is daddy?" She answered, "Remember, he's in the coffin." Tears just streamed uncontrollably down my face. All I could think about and pray for was for God to PLEASE, PLEASE guide this little boy and to make sure he was raised to know Jesus.

Fast forward 6 hours later. After church, I dropped off the 4 teens that we had taken or needed a ride home. As I pulled up to Julia and Hunter's apartment complex, I noticed a gal with a purple top on speaking on the cell phone in the parking lot of the complex. My mouth dropped open in disbelief. I whispered to Julia, is that girl's name Heidi (as I didn't have a clear view of her face, but recognized the purple top that I had seen 6 hours earlier at the funeral) She said YES! I pulled up to her, got out of the car and motioned to her. She got off the phone and came to me with her arms opened wide. I embraced her and began to weep. She kept telling me that she had to be dragged from the coffin because she wasn't ready to let him go. Her entire world has been flipped upside down and she is mourning, devastated, crushed at the passing of this young man. She pulled me around to the back of the complex and said "I want you to meet my mom."
We talked for about 20 minutes as she would occasionally just crumble into a weeping mess. I couldn't even imagine the sorrow or pain.

Then, out of know where she said, "I want your family to come to Austin's bday party this Sat. at the park. And I want you to know Kara that anytime you want to take the boys and spend time with them, take them to church, whatever...you just let me know because I know that's what Jesse would've wanted." Literally, she opened her heart and just handed me the spiritual guidance of these 2 boys. I had no idea that God was going to answer my prayer by using me in this little boy's life. Not only in 1 little one's life, but she opened it up for both of her sons' lives.
Little does she know that I'm not going to leave her behind.

I have no idea where this story will lead. But I do know that God knows and He's in control.
He loves this young mommy and her 2 little boys like mad!!! I have complete faith in God that he orchestrated this encounter this evening and that He has a plan for Heidi, Austin and baby Cody that will blow us all away. My eyes have been opened this evening to a new personal ministry. After telling John this story, he said that we have been commissioned by God to love these boys and mom too :)

There are 1000's of homes in West Lafayette. What are the chances that I would pull up to just the right location at just the right time to interact with this young lady who I saw just 6 hours before? What are the chances that my prayer for a little red-headed adorable 3 year old would be answered with such a clear offer from his mother? Well, with God in control, I guess the chances were pretty good. There is definately NO such thing as a coincidence!!

Isn't God awesome??
k