Coincidences or God moments what do you think?

I’m thankful to Delia, a fellow Kiwanian, who knows my passion for writing and hosting several book clubs. She graciously gave me two books, The Invisible Thread and Angels on Earth, by Laura Schroff. Although I wasn’t really into the writing style, I appreciated Schroff’s stories. She introduces an idea from a Chinese proverb: “An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.” In her first book, she recounts meeting a homeless boy of eleven and eventually ends up as a mentor and friend for over 25 years. After many friends told her to write about it, she did.

Her story begins on a busy NYC street on her way to work. She passed by a boy who said, “Hi Lady, can you help me? I’m hungry.” She’d often passed other homeless people before and didn’t stop. But this time something spoke to her soul. She turned back and invited him to McDonald’s, and that was how it all started. There were so many what if’s that could’ve prevented Laura and Maurice from meeting. What if she came at a different time of day? What if she had been on the other side of the street?

Some people call it a coincidence rather than giving it more meaning. But have you ever had an experience when you find it hard to explain how it happened? How did just at the right moment, the right place, the right person, or a thing occur that later so affect you? Perhaps it was meeting your spouse or running into someone who had a connection for a job.

Another friend, Maureen, introduced me to the idea of God Moments, her version of Invisible threads. Last year, I attended a writer’s conference for the first time with over 600 attendees. Lucinda Secrest McDowell couldn’t attend, but she texted me and two other writers to look out for each other. I was happy with the introduction, but how could I find these women? I misjudged how long it would take the first morning to get to the opening session. Lost on the vast campus, I ran to and fro, asking for directions. I finally found the right path and ran smack into Maureen.

“Lisa?”

“Maureen?”

We both started laughing. Maureen was delayed in traffic and was also late. What are the chances this would happen? She called it a God Moment. Since then, I’ve recognized many God moments in my life.

In response to Laura Schroff’s first book, many of her readers shared their invisible thread stories, and she decided with their permission to share them. The invisible thread happens when the tug of your heart directs you to do something beyond a normal reaction, as she did with Maurice, the homeless boy she befriended.

In the Jewish religion, the word mitzvah, derived from Hebrew, means good deed. Our greatest commandment is “To love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind. And the second is, “To love your neighbor as yourself.” The act of this commandment would be a mitzvah.

Right after reading this book, I needed to shop for dinner. I stood in the express lane for ten items or less. The cashier rang up the next customer as I finished packing my groceries. He was short of money for diapers and milk and said he’d have to go to the car to dig out some more money. He left before I could say anything. I paid the difference and told the cashier to ask him to pay it forward.

The next time I was in the store, the cashier waved me to her station. She told me that five people behind the man paid for the next person’s groceries. I’ve heard this happen at coffee shops and always thought, what a great idea and was delighted I had that tug in my heart.

It reminded me of a 5:30 am flight to Washington, D.C., where no one talks to anyone. It was time to leave, yet the door was still open. An older woman with some mobility challenges hobbled down the aisle. She held one bag and struggled to place her luggage above. A gentleman got up immediately and stowed it for her. On arrival, the usual ‘cattle herd’ stood desperate to deplane. The same gentlemen retrieved her bag and said, “After you.” He stood behind her, not moving, while allowing her time to walk without being rushed. The following person nodded to the person opposite them and said, “After you.” It cascaded throughout the plane.

Whether invisible threads or God moments, we each have daily opportunities to beget kindness that starts a cascade. Have you witnessed or started one yourself? Please be sure to share your story.

Sometimes it’s just the small things that make a big difference. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.