All our married life, Julie and I have said we would do our genealogy (work for the dead) as soon as I retired from police work. Just prior to retiring, we moved in July of 2000. In August of 2000, we were in a brand new ward and stake and didn’t know anyone. After we settled in, our new bishop called us into his office and said, "I’ve felt for sometime now to ask you two if you would accept a mission call at the Mesa Family History Center." Was that just a coincidence? ...Could be! You decide. I had mixed emotions about it. Suffice it to say, I really wrestled with it. On October 27^th, 2000, at 0300 in the morning, I found myself awake staring at the ceiling, pondering this calling. I finally decided to accept it and do my best. I turned over to go to sleep only to notice that it was now 0500. I had been awake for two hours. Just two hours later, my sister Minna called. She said, "Sam, sometime during the night ...Dad died." My Dad had joined the people on the other side of the veil I was being called to serve. Just a coincidence? ...Could be! You decide. October 27^th, also happened to be Julie’s birthday, a very special day to us. Another coincidence? ...Could be! Out of curiosity, Julie went through the family patriarchal blessings we had copies of. About fifteen all total. Of those, none of them said anything about doing work for the dead. None ...except for hers and mine. Just another coincidence? ...Could be! ...You decide. But since then, we not only found we love this calling, it has also been the beginning of a whole new set of opportunities.

The point is, several times in my life, I have had coincidences, or a chain of coincidences, such as these. They have happened at just the exact moment to either really help me out or really affect me for good in some way. Some say that is just luck. But luck is merely a roll of the dice. A gamble. And like the rain, it falls on everyone the same, hitting and missing the same. It’s impossible that luck could be the answer to coincidences for one’s good. I’ve had similar experiences in business, job opportunities, family and more. Always for good. I have come to realize that when things are too coincidental to be coincidental, it is Divine intervention. It is the hand of the Lord in my life. He works that way in your life too.

The Lord loves you very much and He will guide you by leaving little signs along the way. Little signs that you will be able to recognize if you listen and are observant. Most often, they will come appearing as coincidences. But when things are too coincidental to be coincidental, recognize it for what it is: Divine intervention. As you learn to recognize the signs and use them to your advantage, they will come in greater strengths and frequency. Consequently, your problems will come less often and have less impact, creating less damage. Your joy and happiness and hope will increase and begin to multiply throughout your life and in the lives of your family. So always listen and be observant because life is much better for he who learns to listen to Him who loves you.

                                                                    Samuel    www.LDSCOPS.com

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