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Don’t you just love it when God gives you a divine appointment? Well, recently, after a whole slew of unexpected ones, I was more than just amazed. While each one was a true God appointed encounter, the most astonishing thing was that all four of them  happened on the same day. Thinking back on that day now, I am still stunned and in awe at all that occurred.

Oddly, that Sunday had begun with a not-so-comfortable church service. While visiting Oceanside, my husband and I frequently attend another church that’s usually very inspiring. However, it had been a tough one to sit through. Don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t because the message wasn’t good. It was because some kind of demon possessed grinch had done his best to spoil things with a glaringly loud and irritating sound system. As a result, and out of concern for any possible hearing damage, I covered my ears most of the time. Yet somehow, The pastor’s key points did make their way through to my heart—“Love people, give them the gospel, and be ready to give an answer…”

After church and back at our condo for some lunch, we treated our exhausted old selves to a long nap.

Two hours later: “Boy did that feel good!” Thank you for the Sabbath, Lord! I added silently. Feeling refreshed I suggested: “Let’s go for a walk along the beach strand!”

So off we drove in search for a parking place near the strand. Unfortunately, after a thorough search, we left without finding anywhere to park.  By that time it was nearly 5:30 so decided we might as well get dinner out. We found our way to one of our favorites- Coyote’s Grill where my mouth watered for their pulled pork sandwich and Larry got fish tacos to die for. I was looking forward to this gastronomical treat but excused myself to wash my hands first.

And that’s where the most amazing divine appointment that I’ve ever had, happened. It was something so surprising and unusual, that the excitement of it, set in motion three more afterwards. But before I tell you what occurred, I want to share the others that followed on that day.

After dinner, we decided to park and walk along the harbor to the beach that’s closer to our condo. It’s an easy and pleasant walk with plenty of places to rest-up along the way. And with my husband’s back and knee issues that seemed the smartest compromise for our evening. When we arrived by the sandy beach my husband Larry & I found a low wall to rest on before heading back. Shortly after sitting a beautiful young woman sat nearby and initiated a conversation with us. She chatted about many things, including her family that were sitting a short distance away. After a while, my eyes caught the glint of a diamond ring on her finger and by then we all seemed very comfortable sharing things with each other.  So, it wasn’t long before she told us her name was Kimberly and that she was engaged. No doubt noticing our aged faces, she asked how long we’d been married. After revealing our long marriage of 56 years, her interest peaked, and she asked what our secret to a long and happy marriage was. “A good sense of humor, forgiving hearts, and a common faith that seeks God’s wisdom,” were the key ingredients we mentioned. Kimberly also expressed her concerns about the size of her wedding and how extravagant it should be. That gave me a chance to tell her that our wedding was a very simple one.

“Our parents couldn’t afford much. So we had a small but beautiful wedding in the church; then a select few over to my parent’s house for the reception, in the garage, no less! My father had thoroughly cleaned out the garage and hand painted a mural that was hung around all the walls. It depicted a knight on his horse coming for his beautiful damsel. After the meal he played the accordion, and we all sang along joyfully.”

Kimberly seemed enthralled with the extravagant simplicity of my reception. Then I added: “But the most important thing isn’t the wedding— it’s a good and lasting marriage.”

Kimberly was beaming with joy as a few of her family members joined us. We rose up to leave with full hearts, giving her our blessings for a long and happy marriage as we departed. This had been Divine appointment # 3 that night.

About halfway to our car now, Larry’s back was giving him some pain, so we stopped once more for a quick rest. It was only a few short minutes later when Divine appointment # 4 happened. Walking towards us as we sat, was a couple we knew from our condo complex. After initial greetings and some “how’re you doin’” inquires, our friends asked Larry about his back issues and what kinds of treatments had helped him most. Being unaware that she’d also been dealing with back problems, Larry was happy to help her with advice from his experiences. Then, at that point, being well-primed by God’s Holy Spirit, I asked if we could pray for her.

As the four of us joined hands to pray, our friend Hanan added another prayer request.  “Can you also pray for my little nephew Ozzy. He’s only eight months old and is having surgery tomorrow to remove a tumor.”

So, standing in a circle on the public sidewalk, we joined hands and prayed out loud for Hanan and little Ozzy knowing it was God’s finishing touch of his Hand on our day.

Now, as for Divine appointment #1, here’s what happened. As you recall, I had excused myself to wash up for dinner in the ladies’ room of Coyote’s. As I stood at the double sink and turned to dry my hands, I heard the gal at the sink next to me say something. Was she addressing me? Turning back towards this person whom I’d barely noticed, she spoke again.

“Just gotta say, just gotta say,” she repeated. “Tomorrow I’m getting deployed to fight in the F’n war.” She came up for a breath and continued rambling incoherently using the F-bomb in between every other word now.  Normally I might have scolded her for her potty mouth, but something told me this young woman was deeply disturbed about something.

Tears began to fill her eyes and I asked: “Are you all right?  What’s going on?”

“I’m going to war. They said ‘no boots on the ground,’ but they lied, that’s what is happening. I have to go to Israel tomorrow.” She told me her name was Cruise and started to explain things more clearly.  She mentioned that she was a believer and said: “I have to go! I’m a medic nurse.”

“Can I pray for you?” I asked as a woman entered the small bathroom and quickly joined us.

“Yes.” She simply replied as her tears began to flow more freely.

Just then another woman entered, quickly assessed the situation, and joined in as another gal called out from a stall saying to wait because she wanted to pray too.

So, right there in that very small ladies’ room the five of us gathered in a cramped circle to pray for the distraught young woman we’d just met.

For me, it was the most uncanny, if not unorthodox, place to have a prayer circle that I’ve ever had. But it was clearly ordained by God. And as we all prayed and hugged Cruise with the warmth of sisterhood, she seemed to be more at peace; and I was glad I’d made it in time for this Divine appointment. One I would’ve missed if we’d found a parking space by the Strand. So, guess it just goes-to-show, you never know where God might set-up a meeting with you and someone else who needs encouragement.

Finally making it to the table, my sandwich was waiting for me, and Larry had started digging into his tacos. As we finished, our friendly waitress, Molly, came to collect the bill.

Feeling encouraged by the miracle in the ladies’ room, I boldly asked; “Do you like to read?”.

“Yes! I love to read but haven’t found a good one lately. Do you have any recommendations?”

“Sure do! I happen to be an author.” I offered then began to explain the gist of my latest novel. “It’s about a young woman who finds herself in an abusive household and escapes to a Southern California town where kind women come around her, love on her, and give her a job as a waitress…”

“Oh my goodness!” She stopped me before I could finish. “I’ve got chills.” She said rubbing her arms. “That’s what happened to me and how I got this job. I came here from Taiwan with no idea where or how I’d live. Then I met the manager at Coyote’s and she was so kind and helpful to give me a chance at being a waitress.”

“Really! That’s amazing. You know, the book is not only about a waitress, I modeled the fictious town in the Buzz @ Chicky-Pie’s Café after Carlsbad and Oceanside. In fact, I mention Coyote’s in the book.”

Molly and I were both stunned and excited, to say the least and I handed her one of my bookmarks. This one, a mark to me too of the second Divine appointment #2 .

At the end of the evening Larry and I both reflected on all the miraculous encounters we’d had that day. Knowing God had given us all those moments and some in very unusual places, we glowed with a fresh sense of His leading along the paths of our life’s journey.