It was a very warm day in the desert southwest of the United States. My friend and I had just finished lunch after attending church. There we stood in the restaurant parking lot, dressed in our best Sunday clothes, with the engine lid open, wondering what we would do with my car, which would not start. On occasion, I had been known to fiddle with the carburetor to resolve a minor hiccup in the engine of my Volkswagen Beetle. However, my usual manoeuvres did not resolve the problem.

Within a few minutes, we were approached by a young woman who asked if she could help. I was reluctant to trust a stranger whom I had just encountered. Sensing that I was wary, she proceeded to let us know that she had come to the desert from Los Angeles to get away from her work; she was an auto mechanic specializing in assisting women whom she felt were often misled about what their cars really needed in the way of auto repairs. Then she volunteered to look at the engine, and I agreed. After a few minutes, she declared that I needed a fuel pump. She suggested that I go to the auto parts store across the street to purchase one, and offered to install it. Trusting the woman's judgment, I went to the store and picked up the part, while my friend stayed with the car. On my return, the mechanic replaced the part, refusing to allow me to pay for her service.

Although some may view this experience merely as a coincidence, I am confident that it was a demonstration of God's divine providence in my life. It was a Sunday, and what a miracle to have a parts store right across the street and open that day, and to have a mechanic offer to help, let alone a woman mechanic who specialized in helping women in distress!

Psalm 91:14-15 – The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honour them." (NLT)

God intervened by placing this person in the right place at the right time. Can you remember a time in your life when someone was sent to you by God? How does that memory encourage you today? In what ways may God have used you in someone else's life?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come to You with thankful hearts for the ministrations that You provide us in our times of need. We praise You, Lord, for Your love and faithfulness. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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