A MISTAKEN TEXT BECOMES A DIVINE APPOINTMENT
A new year approaches. Like many, Don and I are ready to put this year to bed. And yet, right now we’re enjoying a visit with my younger brother, Bob, and sis-in-law Sheila.
Sunday the 21st, we had a delightful, if smaller than usual, Froese family Christmas. The Loewens will likely meet in January.
Life is full of curves; how gracious of God to sometimes take our mistakes and bring good out of them.
Santana Row, a lovely and festive shopping center near us, offered snow flurries on Tuesday and Saturday evenings ‘til Christmas. In a square in front of several shops, flurries of snow shot out from trees and two large snow machines atop buildings. They began at 7 pm, ran for about seven minutes, then snowed again every half hour.
I meant to text my nephew to ask if his family would like to join us last Tuesday. I got an immediate reply from our gardener: “Yes.”
Oh goodness! Our gardener’s name was right above or below Kyle’s, and I’d sent the text to him rather than to Kyle.
So we made plans, met, and enjoyed the snow. Then we sat around a table eating ice cream and talking. We hadn’t met our gardener’s wife or older daughter, so this was a lovely chance to meet the whole family.
With the parents’ limited English and my limited Spanish, their daughters were a great help in translating for us. We learned so much about each other, and how the parents met and fell in love. We chuckled together, sometimes over my poor Spanish. Laughter is such a great bond.
At one point, I said something like, “Navidad es importante to us (yes, mixed languages!) because Jesu Christo es our Salvador.” (Christmas is important to us because Jesus Christ is our Savior.)
Mrs. Cortes waved around at all her family. “Us too.”
I am grateful for a night of laughter, deeper acquaintance, and sharing Jesus with this family I invited by mistake! (My mistake . . . maybe not God’s!)
So I wish you, my readers, a very happy New Year, filled with the peace and love of Christ. Those don’t depend on our circumstances, but on the miracle of His Presence.
“Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.”
James 1:16-17, NET
Photo credit: Jill Wellington, pexels.com
Wonderful post, Carol! Next year invite me🥰!
Well but of course Laura! Thank you so much. I wish you a very blessed 2026!
How cool is this. I love it. Love you. Wishing you and Don a delightful 2026.
Thank you Shirley. And to you and yours as well. I loved the photos of your extended family! Blessings in Christ, our Lord!
I loved that story about making slight mistake into a very special evening. Thank you for sharing!
We wish you and Don a very happy and healthy new year!
How sweet of you to comment, Marie. Thank you. BTW, can you pm me your email address? I wanted to send our Christmas letter and don’t have it. Don and I wish you and Rick a blessed, happy and healthy new year as well, with love.
Another lovely story…planned by God! Thanks for sharing it. 💓
Thank you Judy. Isn’t it great that God can use even fumbly fingers??? Happy New Year.
This is a wonderful example of how God shows Himself when we least expect it! We wish you and Don a joy filled 2026! Love you both! ❤️
Sure was for me, Edie. I have been thinking of you and Brian a lot lately. Let’s talk soon. Miss you!
Great mistake Carol!!!! Turned out for the very best!!
Amen, Shirl. God is good!
Love It! What a great way to build new relationships!
Happy New Year Blessings to both you & Don!❤️🙏
Thanks, Kathy. Sorry to be behind in my response. I always am blessed by your comments. We certainly send New Year blessings, and hugs, to you and Ed as well.
Wonderful story – made me smile! Santana Row is so special – glad you enjoyed your unexpected visit together! Happy 2026 to you and Don!!
Thanks, Marg. Thanks for commenting. And happy anniversary. Loved your wedding photo!
What a great “God-moment”! Happy New Year to you and prayers for you to bring your book forward in 2026.
Thanks, Raelene. Lovely to hear from you. I plan to submit this week. Prayers appreciated! Hope you’re doing well and continuing to write.