I heard a knock at the door. I was working my corporate job from home today, and surprise visitors rarely happen. It had been an unusual work week following what was supposed to be a fun filled evening at the Indiana State Fair. I had invited my youngest daughter and some of her friends out to enjoy a concert, and of course the best junk food money can buy. It all ended that evening with the shock of us all witnessing the stage collapse at the Sugarland concert. Watching people die in an accident like that, and even having one of your children with you is trauma I cannot put into words. I am pretty strong in my faith, but had been struggling this week with how this accident and the resulting deaths were in God’s plan.

I heard a second knock at the door, and by now I was there and opened it. I saw my Aunt Bonnie standing there, who is spiritual rock of our greater family. I told her about what we had seen and my struggle, and she asked if she could pray with me. From that moment on I felt more peace. Yes Bonnie stopping by (and this is the only time she ever did this unannounced) was also in God’s plan too. Unfortunately we lost Bonnie a couple of years ago, but the impact she had on other’s lives was tremendous. She showed how her “Personal Ministry” approach to life toward helping others and giving hope could be an example for us all to live up to. I still remember a moment from her funeral where a woman got up and told her story of fighting some serious life challenges. She said how Bonnie had been persistent that she join her one Sunday for church. Eventually she gave in, and it was the start of positive life changes that changed her life for many years to come. I was truly blessed to have a role model in my life like Bonnie. I hope she is smiling as she sees this.

Many people think you cannot minister and help others without the proper amount of Bible study, or seminary schooling, or without a title like Pastor. Some would think “I am not good enough to help others”, but your life experiences help empower you with a deeper understanding of how people feel and how you can help. Over the past years, many times I have been helped by those who had the same brokenness at some point. Bonnie opened my eyes that each one of us are disciples to help others. As I started embracing my version of early retirement about a year ago, I was not shy in telling people part of the reason for the change was to have a greater human impact with my remaining time on earth. Life is filled with what seems like coincidences, but it is amazing how the pieces fit together. I found out that the day after my last day of work, a local 11 week Biblical counselor training course was starting, but a pastor would need to recommend me. He did and I attended. Something was moving me to write about both life experiences and how they fit with information and living principles classes I had over the years. I worked on material over the winter that that has evolved into this weekly blog for now, and will likely morph into a longer term way to share and help others. I returned to my home church in Brownsburg this spring, and coincidentally they asked that I help co-facilitate a 10 week course on healthy boundaries and I accepted without hesitation (and that opening was also a coincidence). I have learned to keep my eyes open for what is next for me, and to be patient and it seems to always be revealed. I am blessed in so many ways, and if any of my life experiences or things that I have learned along the way can help others, I am in. None of it is for me. It is to Glorify Him. Maybe something you can do will be that coincidence in someone else’s life, just at the exact right time, in the right moment of need. Be that knock at the door when they need it.