Flashback to Early Marriage

Twelve years ago I experienced God’s sense of humor coming out through his perfect timing.

It was the middle of the 2008 recession. My husband (Matt) and I had just gotten married, moved out of state, and were living in a one-bedroom apartment on one part-time income. Money was very tight, so we pretty much lived on rice and frozen chicken breasts. 

One day in particular I was complaining about it, wishing we could just go out to eat and enjoy a nice restaurant meal, and Matt said, “You know, you sound like the Israelites grumbling in the desert. You don’t seem to be appreciating our chicken and rice manna.”

I don’t remember exactly how I replied, but I know I was annoyed at his observation. Then right at that moment, the doorbell rang. The mail carrier was standing there holding a box of goodies from my mom (chocolate, dried fruit…I don’t remember what else). And of course, she’d reused a box she had, so right there on the side was the word “Mannatech.”

At that point both of us couldn’t help but laugh at the way God worked out that timing. The box delivered at the perfect moment, and it even had the word “manna” on the side.

God’s Timing of Pentecost

I was reminded of this moment when I was thinking about God’s timing of Pentecost. It was no coincidence that Jesus was crucified and resurrected when he was. The passover, which foreshadowed what he was going to do, brought him to Jerusalem. Once he rose from the dead, he hung around for a while. He continued to teach the disciples and then ascended into heaven, telling them to stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit arrived.

Why was it important for them to be in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit arrived? Because thousands of Jews from the region were already there for Pentecost, or Feast of Harvest/the Feast of Weeks. Three thousand of them heard the Holy Spirit arrive, listened to the gospel in their own language, chose to believe Jesus is the Messiah, and went back to their hometowns and told others about it. As usual, God’s timing was perfect.

God’s Timing is Perfect

When my timing isn’t working out, it’s helpful to remember instances when God’s timing was perfect. 

The disciples didn’t know what was going to happen and why Jesus told them to wait until they saw God’s hand at work. There’s no way they could have arranged for the gospel to spread as quickly as it did on their own.

I didn’t know a box was already on its way when I was complaining to Matt, and my mom had no idea I’d be grumbling about our rice and chicken when she put that box together. But God’s timing was exactly perfect. We couldn’t have coordinated it as perfectly if we’d tried.

This brings me back to what I was writing about in my last post, too. I’ve been trying not to hurry as much, just letting things take the time they take and not worrying about getting slowed down or not finishing everything on my list. 

How much less hurried can I be when I trust in God’s timing? 

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” 

With this reassurance, that God is working for my good as someone who loves him, I don’t need to worry about trying to get all the timing just right. I can relax and trust in his timing, that it will be perfect.