It’s all in the timing

Day 14

Scripture

Luke 2:6-7

And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Devotional

Last year, I had an experience that reminded me of this scripture. Fall is my favorite season. One day, I had hopped on the mower and collected the moderate blanket of leaves covering the back yard. Now, as I relaxed in the glider chair on the patio, I observed yet another thin blanket of leaves slowly starting to cover the grass. The browns, reds and yellows seemed to float effortlessly from their majestic homes to the ground below.

I wanted to hop on the mower again but then remembered that the rain was in the night's forecast. I thought, "No, I better wait. The rain will cause even more leaves to fall. The timing isn't right."

Then I started thinking about timing- good timing, like when you hit all the traffic lights green, or bad timing, when it seems like they're all red. Unfortunately, we don't always have control over timing. But God's timing is perfect. We don't always see that at first.

Mary was very pregnant and had to ride on a donkey to a strange town. The inn was full when they arrived. Talk about bad timing! But, there was a stable for shelter, there was a manger in which to place the baby, there were swaddling clothes to wrap the baby in. It was perfect! God took care of everything, not only for Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, but for all mankind. He sent His only son as a gift to us. Timing doesn't get any better than that.

Prayer

Loving God, thank you for the precious gift of Jesus. May we use this example of Your timing to trust You more in our lives. Amen

Challenge

Today, take a moment to remember when God's timing was evident in your life.

By Tina Logan