Coincidence? I think not

I am sure many of you have experienced a situation that you deemed a coincidence.  A series of events coming together just at the right time that makes you sit back and say, "Wow, did that just happen?"  The story I want to share is one of those instances, however this I believe is not a coincidence at all, but rather a gift from God.

My father had spent almost a month in the hospital trying to recover from a botched surgery.  Unfortunately he lost the battle just before Christmas 2005.  I visited him many times while he was in the ICU.  On one of the last visits, after it was determined that he was not going to recover, I said to him, "Dad, you are my hero."

We started making arrangements to bring him home for his last days.  He was happy that he was going home.  My mother was sure that when he was speaking of 'home' he was referring to heaven.  I thought that impossible.  I could not recall a time when my father attended church and I was quite sure that he did not believe in God and heaven.  He died in the hospital before we could move him home.

Several years passed and many changes were taking place in my life.  One change was a new career in real estate.  On a rainy spring day in May, my broker and I went to visit a client who was selling their gift shop.  We spent some time chatting with the owners by the front counter.  As my broker continued to talk with them, I turned my head to look around the store.  My eyes came in contact with a rack of cards that stood next to me.  At eye level, within two feet of me was a card that read, "Dad, You are My Hero."  A wave of heat rushed through my body and I could barely hold back the tears.

This of course was no coincidence.  This was a sign, I was sure of it.  This message was given to me by design.  I know that Father's Day was just a month away and it would not be unlikely to see a rack of Father's Day cards in this gift shop.  But that card at eye level with that message!

Even today (years later) I think of what that sign meant.  I think that my father wanted me to know that he was indeed home - that heaven does exist.  Maybe in some way he was telling me that I was his hero too - that he was proud of me.  It took several more years and a few more messages to open my eyes and heart to God.  Now that I have, I look forward to going home.