It keeps happening...

It keeps happening.  I don’t know why.  I don’t know how.  But I believe I know who is behind it.

Now before I explain more details, I need to remind you that I am a very analytical person…always have been…always will be.  Since I was a very small child, I was known to always ask “why?” continually…about everything.  Ask my Dad…my husband…my children…and they will all tell you I always want to know why things happen…why people do what they do, why some sports (*football*) are played a certain way…why car engines make different sounds…why the sky is blue…why computers and cell phones don’t always work correctly.  Well, you get the idea.  I don’t accept anything very easily without wondering “why.” 

So imagine my response when it began to happen.  At first, I thought I was just tired, or it was mere coincidence…or there was little chance it meant anything significant.  But the more it occurred, the more I began to analyze it, of course.  For months, it has been going on…at the most interesting times.  I admit that it has been a very interesting year for our family.  I admit that my health took a few twists and turns I didn’t enjoy.  I admit my family and I were quite overwhelmed this year on multiple levels.  But why did this keep happening…without any of us seeking it?

It always seemed to happen when I needed to hear it most…or in this case, see it most.  Yet sometimes it just happened even if it wasn’t a challenging day…or moment.   But obviously, He knew...what was on my heart and mind continually…hidden way below the surface where no one else could possibly know.

I would sometimes look at my phone and there it was…3:16.  I would look at the kitchen clock and it read 3:16.  I would grab something small at the store and guess what?  Yes…the total was $3.16.  Many times, I would wake up during the night for no apparent reason and the clock on my nightstand showed 3:16.  Or I would glance at a video or song clip and the time duration would be…yes…somewhere around 3:16.  You can imagine just how much my analytical mind (and counseling/psychology degree) would kick in with this recurring theme.  I told myself I was a mere creature of habit…that I just happened to be in the kitchen at the usual time or woke up for no reason at the same time or subliminally sought it out.  But I know better.

As a young child, my Dad worked with my brothers and me consistently to teach us Scripture verses, Bible facts, etc..  I can remember standing by the fireplace reciting all the books of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation without hesitation…around four or five years of age.  I’m not sure I could do that very easily today. So I learned John 3:16 very early in life.  What did that have to do with the repeated 3:16 views now?

Of course, I can’t know God’s complete reason or His answers for all that happens.  But I do know this.  Clinging to His love, His hope, His promises, His peace, His strength, His joy and His love has been the very reason my family and I survived this challenging year!  In fact, we certainly would not want to repeat the events of this year…but I honestly believe that we have learned more about trusting Him, leaning on Him and learning about Him this year than ever before!  So each reminder of the Truth, Hope and Love found in John 3:16 was a wonderful reminder of His promises, plan and purpose for our lives no matter what happened around us or within us.  I pray I will always see 3:16 each day…whether it’s on a clock…a receipt…or always in my heart and mind.  After all, it makes all the difference in this life...and the next one. ♥~thl   “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  (John 3:16)