Hey Everyone,
This week, I want to share a story from our friend Loren that stopped me in my tracks. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes, the biggest setbacks are actually setups for something incredible.
1 Story of Impact
“Tim,” Loren’s voice quivered on the other end of the line. “This stuff doesn’t happen in the real world. I’ve been doing this a long time, and I know. This is bigger than us.”
His call came after a chain of events that had started earlier in the month. Loren, a cherished friend at Many Hands, had been speaking with Doug Veenstra, our Construction Manager in Abaco, The Bahamas. Disposing of demolition debris from our home rebuilds was a constant struggle; we simply lacked the right equipment on the island.
Loren felt called to solve the problem. He wasn’t just going to purchase a dump trailer for us—he and his grandson were going to drive it down to the port in Florida themselves. Before they left, we loaded the brand-new trailer with school curriculum, classroom technology, and essential concrete tools.
Jumping into their truck after church on Sunday, they drove straight through the night. Then, just south of Atlanta, trouble struck. A 53-foot semi directly in front of them fell apart, scattering massive chunks of steel across the highway. Loren swerved, skillfully avoiding the debris with the truck. The trailer behind them, however, could not. It ran right over the steel, blowing out two tires and bending both axles. With a tight delivery window to make the port, alarm bells started ringing.
But God had already been at work.
Just a few days earlier, Loren had a sudden prompting to throw two spare tires into the truck. Exactly two. After discovering the bent axles, they were directed to a trailer manufacturer just a short distance away. When the staff heard what the trailer was for and the story of our mission, they didn’t hesitate. They pushed the repair to the front of the line and, despite it not being their own equipment, fixed the axles immediately. From the moment of the accident to the final fix, less than a few hours had passed.
And that’s when Loren called me, his voice shaking with awe.
When these “God moments” appear—those unmistakable signs of a higher power—what do we do? Do we give credit where it’s due, or do we write it off as “circumstance” or “luck”? God deserves the praise, for He loves us more than we can ever imagine. He didn’t prevent the accident, but He prepared everyone for how to respond. It is in the response that we see His heart, something He longs to show each of us.
Later, after everything was safely dropped off at the port, Loren sent me a text: “I’m so proud of you and what you do for so many. Changing lives.”
But now, Loren can say we. He is a vital part of this bigger story that God weaves for us all.
3 Points to Ponder
- Perspective changes everything. Where in your life might you be overlooking a miracle by calling it a coincidence?
- A setback can be a setup. How might a current challenge in your life be setting the stage for something greater?
- A nudge can be a mission. What small promptings in your own life might be an invitation to a much larger purpose?
2 Quotes to Share
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” – Corrie ten Boom
What a powerful reminder that we are all part of a story bigger than ourselves.
Have you ever experienced a “God moment” that changed your perspective? Feel free to reply and share—I read every response.
Live with impact,
Tim
