At Just the Right Time

Oftentimes, I’ve wondered who in the world prayed on my behalf? Who urged God to awaken me to my need for saving grace? I don’t know who did, but I am grateful for them because at just the right time, I woke up.

Anyone who has met up with Jesus has their own story and every story is unique as is mine.

 In my early twenties, having just graduated from college, I was ready to launch myself into a professional career. Having been a waitress, I now possessed an Associate’s Degree, my ticket to a happier life, or so I thought.

At eighteen, I’d moved far away from home with a single purpose; to find my own happiness. Moving far from home was the first step. Going to college was the second step. Getting a professional job was the next step, or so I thought.  

Gung ho, I applied for a variety of jobs all over the Western United States and interviewed for local positions to no avail. I wondered what was wrong? To be more specific, I wondered, what was wrong with me? 

I can now describe that time of feeling defeated as my Job moment: I sat in sackcloth and ashes scraping my infected skin with broken pieces of pottery.

 It was awful, but I also thought I understood why my father had chosen suicide. It felt like the only option I had at the time. If I ended my life, I’d end my miserable failure.  

Consequently, I found myself alone, ready to follow in my father’s footsteps. But, at that very moment of time, while I was readily agreeing with myself that ending my life was indeed the best option, I heard an audible voice. It was an audible voice that made me look around for its source. But, I saw no one behind me. Then Someone appeared in front of me, on top of a wall and repeated the words that got my attention in the first place, “You could choose life.” And I did. 

The timing was perfect. I was at dead end ready to succumb to my end. Not only that, but I had the mind of a student. I’d just graduated from college and I knew the importance of finding the right sources necessary to understanding a particular topic. 

Wanting to know more about Jesus, the person who offered me the choice of life, I shopped for a Bible at a local drug store the next day. I was a little dumbfounded that there was more than one to choose from, but I chose a translation that was easy for me to read. 

Along with the Bible, I bought a yellow highlighter and began reading Scripture for the first time. No one told me where to start reading. I simply started with the Psalms because the words resonated with my heart. Then, I went on to Proverbs. And since then, I’ve kept reading because it is from Scripture that I get an accurate picture of the One who has given me life. 

Why Bother?

Why bother being grateful for perfect timing? At just the right time, in the proper time, in the exact moment, Jesus showed up and I’m forever grateful.