This past week was quite eventful for our family. Holly crossed a milestone as she turned 50 years old, and we celebrated by taking a trip with Adam and his girlfriend Lea down memory lane to the place where we met and got engaged (Snoqualmie Falls) and where we got married (Redmond). It was a special, fun day. We have faith that 2019 offers some exciting “opportunities.”

As we pass from 2018 into 2019, I’m remembering the aged wisdom of one of my closest friends here in the Pacific Northwest. My buddy Don frequently reminds me that when things don’t go as we plan, rather than looking at things as “problems” or “obstacles” we should look at them as “opportunities.” I see him doing this all the time in his own life, and I want to follow his example.

I had an opportunity to put this into practice the other day. Once each year I take my boys on a snowboarding trip. We have a great time together, memories are made, and I’m always thankful when I make it through the day without injury.

This time, on our way toward the mountain, driving our Subaru that has been a good car, all of a sudden we lost power. I pulled to the side of I-5, and began working through things. Long story short, two hours later the tow truck dropped us at the auto shop and we came to find out over the next few days that the timing belt (which was relatively new) had snapped when a tensioner had worked loose, and had caused significant engine damage (all valves bent, head sent to shop for re-grinding, etc.) This would be at least a few thousand dollars we hadn’t planned on.

I remembered Don’s words, trying to view this as an opportunity. We spent time as a family talking about a biblical view of money and how we should view developments like this. As we move into 2019, and I prepare to leave for India in a couple days, I’m certain there will be many things that will not go the way we plan. But we joyfully submit to the sovereign control of our God, and by His grace will seek ways to handle “opportunities” with wisdom and grace and look for His hand in it all.

Recent update: Praise God, our home church heard of our car “opportunities” and has chosen to bless us by covering the cost of the repairs. Amazing! God is good, and we are blessed. While we certainly can’t count on that sort of thing always happening, yet it is a reminder to trust God with the “opportunities” life brings.