Guideposts Editors - Heaven Sent: More Than Coincidence

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5, niv ). Time and again we see evidence that reveals Gods involvement in our everyday lives. Sometimes the heaven-sent guidance is overlooked when we brush it off as coincidence. Other times, we can think of it as nothing less than a miracle.

Van Varner, the former editor of Guideposts magazine, wrote, Faith is made of mystery and awe; it is not in knowing the tangible but in believing in the intangible that our faith flourishes. The hidden hand of God moves silently, leaving behind the evidence of things unseen.

This is the very idea this book explores: it is in those moments, when we see Gods mysterious touch in our lives, that our faith is the strongest. Though we cant always understand His methods, we know that He is directing us toward the right path or helping us through the tough times.

Heaven Sent compiles stories from the best-loved column in Guideposts magazine Mysterious Ways and from Mysterious Ways magazine to reveal the surprising spiritual strength that emerges when people find that God is right there with them in every type of situation: from a chocolate cake that arrived at just the right moment to two sisters made invisible in a time of great danger. You will see yourselfand find positive new perspective on your situationin eighty stories from people who have encountered the mysterious and divine in their own lives.

Rita Turner takes you through the surprising circumstances that led her, at the age of sixty-two, to leave behind her comfortable and familiar surroundings and travel to China to teach English as part of a masters degree program. Eileen Helm Fulton reveals how a chance encounter on vacation blooms into friendship and allows her to help save a mans life. Jack Brewer realizes God has a continuing purpose for him when a boy visits him in a dream and asks the question, But what about me?

Many other contributors acknowledge the surprising kindling of spiritual strength that happens when God influences their lives through heaven-sent comfort, protection, healing, and rejuvenation. Their gracious, thoughtful insights remind us that even in lifes toughest moments, God has a plan for us.

While you read these stories, we hope that your faith is strengthened as you remember that God is at work in our lives and circumstances. We can trust Him for everything.

Editors of Guideposts

Inspiration from Above

by Aminda Parafinik

My heart pounded. My hands were clammy. I was on the verge of panic. The tangle of multicolored lines on the Paris Mtro map made my head spin. I asked a ticket-booth attendant for help. He shot me a dismissive look. How could I have been so careless? The world never felt so big, and I never felt so small, so lost. Id come to Paris in hopes of finding myself. Now I couldnt even find my way back to my hostel.

If youre lost in Paris, just look for the Eiffel Tower, another traveler told me when I arrived from Arizona. If only there were a guidepost to help me find my way in life! Two months earlier, Id been downsized from my job as an editorial assistant, my second job since graduating from college with a degree in communications. Id thought I would be climbing the ranks by twenty-five. Instead, I was out of work. I felt like a loser.

I dreamed of getting away. Thats when I got the idea for this trip. Id been fascinated by the City of Light ever since I was a little girl. I had some money saved up. What better place was there to be inspired again?

I took in the awesome views from the top of the Eiffel Tower, gawked at the luxury shops along the Champs-lyses, saw the magnificent Palace of Versailles. Today, though, after exploring exhibits at the Louvre and visiting the gargoyles at Notre Dame, Id taken a wrong turn. The narrow streets surrounding the cathedral were like a maze. In the spirit of adventure, I kept going... until it got dark. I could see the Eiffel Tower, a finger of light impossibly distant. I searched for more than an hour until I found what I thought was the right Mtro stop, but it was for a different line than the one that let off near my hostel.

I turned away from the ticket booth and the reality of my situation hit me. Id been crazy to spend my savings on this trip, trying to find myself. Whenor ifI got home, then what? Lord, I whispered, please help me. I am so lost.

Excusez moi . A tall, brown-haired man startled me. A little older than me, clean-cut, dressed like a businessman. Can I help you? he asked, with just a hint of a French accent.

I need to get to Flix Faure, I said, trying to keep my voice from quivering.

Follow me, he said. Normally I wouldnt, but there was something about him. He seemed trustworthy. Confident. Besides, did I have a choice?