The world’s 7 billionth person was born earlier this week (you can find out what number you were). With our planet seeming like such a crowded place, I find it incredible that every day, extraordinary things happen to bring together two people who need each other. Here are just a few recent stories I’ve collected over the past month or so from various news sources. Are these stories merely coincidence? Or do they reveal a greater power at work?
1. “The Desire of My Heart”
Carol Jobe of Cleveland was diagnosed with inoperable metastasized breast cancer. It’s a disease her doctors believe she has very little chance of fighting. She chose to focus instead on making her last days as enjoyable as possible. She tried to think of things to put on her “bucket list.” “Then I said to God, ‘You know, there is one thing. It is the desire of my heart. I’d like to have a cabin.’ That’s the one thing I have not had.” Then one day she got a phone call …
2. Something Wouldn’t Let Her Forget
Chuck Cunningham of Indian Land, South Carolina, was on Facebook when he saw a posting that an old friend desperately needed a kidney transplant. He mentioned it to his wife, Amy. “I really hope somebody donates a kidney for them, that’s really a shame,” Amy replied. She didn’t think much about it … at least not for a while. But she says something wouldn’t let her forget about it. Amy eventually decided to get tested to see if she could be a match. After a long process, she heard some stunning news …
3. Lost Without His Best Friend
Marc and Patti Stern of Mesa, Arizona, were mourning the loss of their dog Payson. June 17 would have been Payson’s 11th birthday. “Let’s celebrate Payson’s life by going to Payson, Arizona, for the weekend,” Marc suggested. They brought a pillow filled with Payson’s ashes and decided to do the things he loved doing, such as walk around Woods Canyon Lake and Green Valley Park, and stay at the Best Western Payson Inn. With them came Payson’s brother, Moe, who had seemed lost without his best friend. “If and when we get another dog, it should be a little girl, because Moe needs a sister,” Patti said. “When the time is right, a sister dog will find us, we won’t find her.” On Payson’s birthday, they were out walking Moe when suddenly …
4. An Old Postcard Finds Its Way Home
Postcard collector James Cove has “thousands upon thousands” of old cards, dating back decades. He chose to auction off a lot of 10,000 on eBay, where he sells them to nostalgia and history buffs. He picked a few cards to scan and put up with the listing. One was dated June 27, 1953, from a woman named Esther in Liverpool to her son Terry, serving in the army in Egypt. James had no idea if it had ever been delivered to its intended recipient. “One can only wonder why I listed it at all,” James said. But it’s a good thing he did …
Have you spotted a Mysterious Ways story in the news? Do you have one of your own? Leave a comment or email us at mw@guideposts.org.
