[Monday's Devotional] - Mysterious Ways

The Lord works in mysterious ways. How often have we heard that? And have we not said that ourselves at some time or another? In fact it is true that He works in ways that we are not aware of and get caught out by events we were not expecting. I never seem to see things coming and only realise what has happened later.

At times I dream of living in a nice house in the country. Perhaps even isolated from any community and able to go outside any day and hear only the grass growing and the birds singing. Of course I would need to win the Lottery or something like it to be able to do that and I never seem to win anything worthwhile anyway.

When I gave up smoking the doctor began to take an interest in my health for the first time in many years. I was informed that I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and must now take some tablets and change my diet and do some exercise. Marvellous! I've been happy all these years and now I'm going to be messed about.

Of course I haven't asked the Lord for that Lottery win, but I've no doubt he knows what I think. Now I ought to give up some things I like and start using things I don't, like Flora margarine. Then Flora ran a free competition. All you had to do was buy a tub of Flora, check a code under the lid and enter it in the space on their website. OK I might as well do that, it will be a waste of time but well.....What! I've won something? Only the top prize of two nights at a health hotel for two people. It turns out to be a Warner's hotel – a choice of five – and out in the country.

Lord I never saw that coming. A couple of nights in a country hotel. Yes, I know it's not living there, but it's a taste and what a lovely surprise.

Trust in the Lord to give you what you need for now, even though you don't know how or when He will do it.

Jim Finch.