On 21 August 2022, I excitedly embarked on a flight from Australia to Scotland. However, this holiday was not what I had envisaged at all. Nothing happened as planned. There was sadness and there was joy, hand in hand with a peace that this world cannot afford.

God prepares for us in all aspects of our life. We may not know at the time an incident occurs but further down the line, when we reflect on our circumstances, we can see that there are no coincidences in life, and everything is by the wonderful arrangement of God. God not only prepares for us, He also comforts us in times of sorrow.

My husband, for reasons that I could not fathom, was very enthusiastic for me to return to Scotland when travel restrictions ended in March 2022. With much prompting from him, I proceeded to book tickets in June 2022.

I planned my dates carefully so that I could find accommodation for a road trip to the Scottish Highlands and attend Edinburgh church’s Zion Fellowship as well as the annual spiritual meeting.

En route to Edinburgh, my grandfather suddenly became critically ill and passed away a couple of weeks later. I did not go on my planned road trip and to my disappointment, there was no Zion Fellowship due to another church event. My plan was to return to Australia on 14 September but due to my grandfather’s situation my husband suggested to extend my stay to 12 October.

I had been plagued with thoughts of my grandfather dying alone in hospital in the weeks prior to his demise. God mercifully allowed me to be at his side when he took his last breath.

A few days after my grandfather was called to rest, I remembered two sharings whilst reflecting on recent events.

One was from a nephew’s testimony about receiving the Holy Spirit at a recent Youth Theological Training Course. He had shared that there are no coincidences in God, meaning nothing happens without a reason as nothing is random. God moves people to influence us or move us when the time is right for us.

The second one was our resident preacher’s sharing about how sometimes an event occurs, but we do not understand why or how it relates to our current situation until another incident occurs. It is then that we connect the dots. Why did the wise men gift baby Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh? The gifts do not seem to serve much purpose for a baby. However, Joseph and Mary had to escape to Egypt from King Herod and the connection is that those items were necessary to maintain their life whilst they were in Egypt. Likewise, God makes provision and plans for us. He prepares for us.

Previously, I wondered why my husband wanted me to return to Scotland. But I could not find an answer. At that moment, I realised, that this was part of God’s plan. God had arranged for me to return to the UK for this event. Even though I had told members that it was all God’s planning for me to be here at this time, I had not made the connection until now.
When my maternal grandmother had passed away in 2010, I was on vacation, and I met an elder and his wife who knew my grandmother well. Talking to her gave me a level of comfort but I only got closure two years later at her grave.

Since the start of the pandemic and my grandfather’s diagnosis of dementia, I had wondered if I would be able to see him one more time.

I realised that God knew I needed to witness my grandfather’s passing and had allowed me to be there by his side when he took his final breath. This is the strongest memory I have of that evening, and it gave me peace and closure to see that God had heard me and did not let my grandfather die alone in the hospital ward. Matthew 6:8 (NIV): “…for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

My grandfather was called to rest after midnight on Sunday 11 September. This was the first day of the Edinburgh church spiritual meeting. The nurses in the ward were too busy to provide him with the level of care he needed. My father and his sisters had to care for him. God had arranged it so that we could all peacefully attend the spiritual meeting without these concerns.

My parents joined Edinburgh church’s daily morning and night Zoom prayers. Staying with my parents resulted in me praying more than usual as I was still doing my personal morning and night prayer as well as join the Zoom prayers.
Prayer was the catalyst for me to see God more clearly; it was also the source of my strength.

Queen Elizabeth II died a few days before my grandfather. Our funeral plans hit a few obstacles because there was a public day of mourning which impacted our date. By entrusting in God through prayer, we overcame the challenges and the funeral proceeded smoothly.

I have lived overseas for more than ten years so as the family sharing service approached, I began to wonder if I really knew my grandfather at all. I had worried about whether dementia affected his ability to pray and worship God. It was at that service that God comforted me through the sharing of an extended family member from Portsmouth, Deacon Chan and the brother who taught the Evergreen fellowship.

They talked of grandfather’s love for God and the brethren. His willingness to offer to God for all things. How he attempted to welcome visitors even though he could not speak the same language. How he was an exemplary husband showing much love towards his wife’s family forming a close bond with them. That he loved to sing hymns and he led hymnal in Evergreen fellowship. One of his favourite hymns was 160, Sunshine in My Soul.

Listening to these words comforted me. I felt so thankful to God. My grandfather was unable to speak and ask us to do things for him in the final weeks. I had taken the initiative to ask my grandfather if he wanted to listen to hymns and he responded with a nod. I had sung and played Hymn 160 for him.

I did not have the courage to speak that evening because it was such a formal setting.

Later that night, feeling regretful and angry at my cowardice, I wrote a eulogy for my grandfather on Facebook. I recalled how my grandfather had invited a preacher to lunch when I had popped in unannounced with my baby son. This very preacher was the one speaking at his funeral service the next day. He touched on how my grandfather would always be waiting around at church for him to be free so he could have a chance to invite him to a meal.

The preacher’s eulogy and reflections shared by church ministers and members gave me peace; Peace and comfort in my heart that can only come from God. I’ve never really understood the purpose of the family sharing session before a funeral. I now realise that it is indeed for the benefit of the bereaved.

Just as recorded in John 16:33, in Him we may have peace. Not only did God give me peace; He took me from the house of mourning to the house of feasting. My extended stay afforded me the opportunity to attend two in person Zion Fellowships, fulfilling my desire to be with my family in Christ for spiritual fellowship.

I was able to reunite with my childhood friend who arrived in Edinburgh after my original departure date. Furthermore, I enjoyed a reunion and dinner fellowship with a large group of church friends residing in different countries from my Youth Theological cohort. This would not have been possible within my original timeframe.

I also had the opportunity to enjoy meals with extended family and church members that would not have been possible if I had only stayed three weeks.

Though my road trip to the highlands did not come to fruition, I was able to visit another destination on my wish list and fellowship with brethren in Barcelona with my parents. It fulfilled my father’s desire to fellowship and see a brother that he had been thinking about these past few months.

There was a joy and peace in my heart that I cannot explain. I felt unworthy of God bestowing such wonderful blessings upon me. I felt a peace in my heart that the world cannot give, a peace it could not take away.

Very often we fail to realise that so-called coincidences and good fortune in life are God’s arrangement and that even when there are unfortunate incidents, these can also be from God for our good. We often fail to see the little blessings that God gives us.

Putting God at the forefront of my plans by planning my holiday around spiritual fellowship allowed God to work and direct my path. I experienced inexplicable joy knowing that God was holding my hand.
“Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (Ps 37:4)

God prepares for us in every aspect of our life. Nothing happens by chance. Our heavenly father knows our every need and gives us what we need before we ask. By His wonderful arrangement, I returned to Edinburgh at His appointed time. By His grace and mercy, I had precious time to spend with my grandfather. God saw my need for closure and allowed me to be at my grandfather’s bedside at the appointed time. The timing of my grandfather’s death provided me the opportunity to stay on, to be with my parents and siblings, and experience God’s wonderful blessings. My father and his siblings were able to care for my grandfather and show him filial piety. It also allowed the opportunity for extended family and friends to see him one more time.

When we entrust in God with constant prayer, we will experience and feel His presence, see His providence, and reap bounteous blessings. There are no coincidences in life. Everything is by the arrangement of God. God prepares for us!

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Cor 2:9)

May all glory be unto God. Hallelujah Amen.