God's Providence

I have been a blessed man. I have seen God's hand in my life preparing a way for me on so many occasions. I don't always see God's provision at the moment, but it becomes clear in hindsight. Often at the moment God has opened a door or created an opportunity for me I am oblivious to his preparation. Today at church I preached on the scripture phrase, "God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." God creates in me the desire for that which will please him and at the same time that which will bless me. After the terrible Worcester fire where six firefighters lost their lives I felt called to work as a fire chaplain. A fellow priest, Dan Harris, was involved and helped me to see the importance of this ministry. I enjoyed getting to know the firefighters and spending time with them. I visited some at the hospital and in their homes if they were sick or hurt. This seemed significant enough, but little did I know that it would give me the opportunity to go to ground zero as a chaplain following 9/11. The picture is of Marsha and I with the Whitman fire chief as he gave a book about 9/11. I could recount many examples of God preparing opportunities for my blessing when I could not possibly see the potential blessing for me. Pray and respond, pray and respond that is the pattern of life. God will prepare the way if you are open to step into it. You will see his hand at work in the good times and the bad. You will find his love for you and his provision in the small things and the great. Look back and see what God has done for you. Know that he has greater things in store for those who will allow "God to work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."