God's Perfect Timing. And I Mean Perfect.

One afternoon, when my husband arrived home from work, I decided to head out and take back a Red Box DVD we rented yesterday and tan for my sister's upcoming graduation. While I was out and about, I got a very random whim to get my hair cut - it's really short but very cute! I arrived back home, hopped in the shower, and then helped my husband with the kids as they got ready for AWANA's. He left with Caleb and Sarah, and then I was on my own with Gabriel. I put on some make-up and straightened my hair.

I was to arrive early for choir practice, so instead of being at church around 7:30, I moseyed on over there at about 6:45 - still earlier than Bro. Stephen asked, but I figured I'd visit with some of the people who were there for Bible study.

Then, for some weird reason, I realized I forgot to put on deodorant.

Are you wondering what this has to do with God's timing?

I debated with myself if I should go home. I sort of felt self-conscious but tried to rationalize that I just showered, and it wasn't as if I was going to work out on a treadmill or anything. I could just stay there and not worry about it, but for some reason I felt quite strongly that I should go home. So I strapped Gabriel in his seat, hopped in the van, and went back home.

As I was driving down the street that connects to ours, I looked up ahead. In front of a dark green duplex, I saw a small, 2-year-old boy wearing just a diaper. He was playing in a mud puddle right on the road. I slowed down. I stopped. I looked to see if his parents were out watching him play in the puddle, but I thought to myself, "Who would let their 2-year-old child play in the road?"

There were no parents.

My heart started beating fast - much like it is now as I recall this story. "I need to take this child to his mom!" I thought to myself. I pulled into the driveway, got out of my van, and gently took the small boy up to the door. I guess the mom heard my door shut and noticed a vehicle in her driveway, because she met me at the door.

With compassion, I explained, "He was just playing out here and I was worried."

Her eyes became big as they started to fill with tears. Her mouth dropped as she realized what had happened.

"I was just cooking dinner and I didn't even notice! Thank you so much. Oh, my gosh. I just didn't know."

I didn't even know what to say. It could happen to anyone.

"My two-year-old could sneak out, too, I'm just glad I was here," I tried to reassure her.

I went back to my van, backed out of the drive, and continued home. I was in so much shock that I barely even remembered why I was heading home in the first place.

Oh, yes. Deodorant.

The cliche that "God works in mysterious ways" is an understatement here. The little boy could have wondered off, and to be quite honest, people don't exactly drive slowly down that particular street. I know He put me there at that exact time to take the boy to his front door.

I gave all the detail at the beginning for a few reasons: 1. I have no idea why I decided to get my hair cut that afternoon. If I hadn't gotten it cut, I would not have showered when I got home - because I like to wash it myself when I get it cut; 2. Since I showered, I needed new deodorant! I'm serious when I say I NEVER forget this; it's a part of my routine, and I don't know why I forgot.

But really, I know why I forgot. God used such an odd thing. But He used it. And it was perfect.

Lord, I pray that I will always hear Your voice, even if it's just telling me to go home for deodorant...