Coincidence is God's way of staying anonymous. --
Author Unknown
Several years ago, I was sitting in a bookstore reading a magazine article about a coincidental meeting of two people, one of whom would later help the other through a serious illness.
I put the magazine down and walked around the bookstore to check out the new books on display. One book, When God Winks: How the Power of Coincidence Guides Your Life, by Squire Rushnell, captured my attention. What a coincidence, I thought. Or was it?
I picked up the book and read the first few words on the inside cover. "It is not by accident that you just picked up When God Winks. Whether you call it synchronicity or coincidence, what brought you to this book is worth remembering. In fact, you may have suspected all along that there is more to coincidence than meets the eye."
What were the odds of my reading about a coincidence and then picking up a book about how coincidence can guide your life? A God wink is a message of reassurance that comes when you need it most, according to Rushnell. It is one way for God to establish a perpetual presence in your life.
Well, it happened again.
It was "Fat Tuesday" (Feb. 24) and I was participating as a celebrity server supporting the local chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help grant the wish of a sick child. I didn't know then that I would meet a new friend.
As a greeter at Sweet Potatoes restaurant that evening, I met people, talked about Make-A-Wish and encouraged them to contribute to the cause to help grant wishes for local children with life-threatening medical conditions. While there, I met 4-year-old Michai James and his mother, Micha.
We had a short conversation. We shook hands and I asked him if he liked to read. "Yes," he told me in a quiet voice.
I don't remember his favorite book, but I shared one of mine with him, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, by Jon Scieszka. It is a great book for children and adults. In it, Alexander T. Wolf gets to tell his side of the story.
"If I buy you a book, will you read it?" I asked Michai. With his mother looking on, giving her nod of approval, he said yes. So, I had him write his name on a piece of paper. He took his time and carefully wrote MICHAI JAMES in big letters.
Recently, I received a letter from Michai and his mother. It was a pleasant surprise. "I'm sure you have experienced God's mysterious works," Micha wrote, providing another example. On the day we met, she happened to be attending a meeting next door and decided to stop by Sweet Potatoes for a bite to eat. Just killing a little time, she said. At that moment, her mother called and told her about the Make-A-Wish event at local restaurants. She was happy "to be able to help a worthy cause," she wrote.
She went on to inform me that my wife, Sarah, had taught her in an enrichment program at Winston-Salem State University when she was 12 years old.
She remembered an encouraging comment Sarah shared with her and has carried those words with her for almost 16 years now. Another coincidence, you think?
"Wow, isn't that something," I said, as I shared the letter with Sarah. Micha also thanked me for joining that village that helps raise her son.
And then I read Michai's note, written with the help of his mother.
Dear Mr. Nigel,
I went home on Sunday, after spending the weekend with my grandmother, to find a package addressed to me. Inside I found the book you promised to send!
Thank you for keeping your promise, and I promise to send you the report you asked me to write. I had fun meeting you, and I also thank you for taking time to take a picture with me.
I think reading is fun, too, and can't wait to tell my classmates at Cedar Forest Christian School about the book my new friend sent me. I hope to see you again soon!
And in those big, detailed letters, it was signed, "Sincerely, MICHAI JAMES."
"By the way," his mother wrote, "Michai says he believes the wolf because the pigs were so mean and wouldn't let him in."
I believe Alexander Wolf was telling the truth, too, Michai.
■ Nigel Alston is a Dale Carnegie trainer and motivational speaker who lives in Winston-Salem. He can be reached at nalston1@triad.rr.com.
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