God's Timing

Have you ever given God a time limit? "Oh, God, please help me to find the one to get married." I am XX years old. I want/need to get married! People around me are pressuring and keep bugging me about it... Please send him/her to me soon..."

I've done that. And when the XXth year passed me by, I sighed and started asking again. I know that His timing is the best. But my faith was challenged when that "best" is not happening to me. Not realizing that it is my time table, that I put God into and want Him to act when I "think" I need. I just couldn't understand why it takes so long to hear my prayers answer.

From my Bangladesh mission trip, I am once again reminded that His timing is the best time! Waiting on the Lord is not easy or fun somtimes, but the Bible is clear and direct on this matter: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." (Phil 4:6)

So, here is a story on how God's timing is simply amazing!

There was a young man named Z who helped me in my Vacation Bible School all week long in Jalchatra village, 5 hours bus drive from the Capital city, Dhaka. Almost all the volunteers who came to me to help with the VBS were teachers or education-major students from our SDA college in Dhaka. Z was neither of them. On Friday afternoon, I was busy distributing all the left-over materials to the teachers from different regions including the dean, the education dept chair of our SDA college. With a little uneasiness, I told Z that I had nothing to give him. He understood and shyly smiled and said that it was okay.

A few minutes later, I was just about to pack up my belongings and was ready to leave the VBS room. Z came over to my side and whispered to me, "Ma'am when you come next year, would you bring me an English Bible?"

It was a sweet melody in my ears! I was so happy. You see, I had many Bibles at home. Amongst them is an American Standard Version pocket size Bible (with Jesus' words in Red). This Bible was sentimental to me, but I never used it at home. It just collects dust on the shelf. So, I decided to give it away, not knowing who and how. I simply packed the Bible in my suitcase and forgot about it till now.

It was so special to see Z beaming with a big happy smile. When Z went to his friends , they all wanted to have a copy too. They all turned and begged me if I can bring them English Bibles next year. (By the way, Z told me that he was scheduled to work with some evangelists in the upcoming evangelical meetings next few weeks! What a timing God has in mind!!!)

I don't think that Z expected me to grant his request at that moment! I know now what it feels like to give a good gift just at the right time. This must be how our Father in Heaven feels. He knows all our needs and wants. He just gives the perfect gift at the right time!

Yes, I am married now for little over a year. I look back and see how God brought my husband to me and I to him. It couldn't be any perfect timing than this! His timing may seem long at times, but when you receive His blessing, you will know... His timing IS perfect and amazing! :)