BY CHANCE? … OR ON PURPOSE? August 28, 2015

By Anita Mondragon

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

Sorry for being a “blog hog”… but something extraordinary happened last night, and I couldn’t wait to share! -anita

Today, I was reminded once again that nothing happens by chance.  There are no coincidences…no accidents…EVERYTHING happens for a reason!  Every person you have ever met, every person that has ever crossed your path, has done so according to the will of God Almighty!

I will confirm this theory in the following story.

In 1953, my dad decided to go to Baptist Bible College in Springfield Missouri.  While in school, we attended High Street Baptist Church.

We went from that state, to Oklahoma for a time, and eventually ended up in Denver, Colorado.

My dad was raised in a Christian home, and was the 9th preacher to come out of that family.  He pastored a church here in Denver for 6 years.

One night, he wanted to go fishing, but could not find anyone to accompany him.  All of his friends were busy.  My mom wanted to go to the Youth Camp, run by Harvey Springer.  Dad did NOT want to go, but finally relented when his fishing plans fell through.  That evening, a preacher by the name of David Cavin, had a sermon on “The Potter, and the Clay.”

My dad found the Lord that night!  Yes…he had pastored a church for 6 years here in Denver, and a few years before that in Oklahoma; but he didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus until that night.

Some folks will never understand how someone could proclaim the Gospel and not be a born-again believer.  They will come up with various “reasons” to try to explain it away; but, just because someone goes to church all the time…is a member…or even the pastor himself, does NOT make them a Christian!

It’s kind of like something I heard recently:  “YOU COULD STAND IN THE GARAGE ALL DAY LONG…BUT THAT WON’T MAKE YOU A CAR!”

Back to my point…

My dad has been gone for 17 years now, but I still see how the Mighty hand of God worked things out…

My husband met a co-worker at his previous job.  Through conversation, they discovered that her niece, is married to our grandson!

We just found out tonight through Facebook conversation, that this former co-worker is related to David Cavin and Everett Cavin, (the preacher who lead my dad to the Lord, and his brother who later baptized my dad.)  We also found out that her parents went to Baptist Bible College and High Street Baptist Church around the same time as my dad!

I was almost 2 years old when my dad started Bible college; I am 63 now.  AMAZING!  … 60 + years later, and I run into a relative of the person who showed my dad the way to salvation…AND, WE are now related through the birth of our first great-grandson!

Small world? …NO…GOD’S PLAN!

Thank you Lord for making my dad’s fishing buddies busy that night so long ago…Thank you for the persistence of my mom…Thank you for a preacher, who stood up and spoke as the Holy Spirit moved upon him…Thank you for guiding our steps and putting us in the right place at the right time…YOUR TIME!

LET US NEVER DOUBT YOU, FATHER!

By:  Anita Mondragon August 2015


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