October, 21, 2024

Most people love solved mysteries. Dealing with a mystery that seems unsolvable is not so much fun. On the other side of the mystery, after understanding the reason behind it, gratitude fills your heart. Sometimes the mystery turns out to be a blessing in disguise.

Like the wet, drizzly evening when I fell face down on concrete because I didn’t step high enough over the curb. Miraculously, I didn’t break my glasses, but I couldn’t see out of my left eye. An emergency appointment with a retina specialist was scheduled because my ophthalmologist thought I might have a torn retina. The good news is, I didn’t. The bad news is that macular degeneration was detected in my right eye. Discovered in its early stages and with immediate treatment, there was much to be thankful for. What a blessing in disguise! Had I not fallen, the disease could have advanced significantly before I became aware of it.

Marlin’s mystery turned out to be wonderful for him, not so much for the plane full of people. Marlin was late for his flight due to a delayed lunch and slow traffic. God, why did I have to get behind a stop-and-go school bus? Why was the only parking spot so far away from the terminal? Dashing to the Northwest ticket counter, he heard the dreaded words, “I’m sorry, sir, but that flight has departed. Why is this happening, and what am I going to do now?

At that moment, a door opened behind the agent, and a gentleman asked, “What’s the problem?” Motioning to Marlin, he said, “Come with me.” (These were the days before tight security.) Marlin trotted off behind the fast-paced man and galloped down a flight of stairs and into the bowels of Dulles terminal. Unbelievable! There in the distance, the plane sat on the runway. “Jump in,” the man motioned toward a parked station wagon. They sped across the tarmac, arriving at the plane in seconds. The steps were lowered. Marlin bounded up the steps and boarded the plane that supposedly had just departed.

“Why is this plane not leaving?” barked the man in the seat behind Marlin. His face was red from frustration and impatience.

“Sir, I don’t understand it,” the puzzled stewardess answered. “This has never happened before, but for some unknown reason the food pod arrived bolted onto the carrier, and no one could find a wrench!” Marlin praised God silently. He thought it best not to let the angry man behind him know that God was the one who hid the wrench.

Is there a mystery going on in your life? Be patient. Maybe the solution will come as a blessing.

Charlotte

This story is in, “Family Stories for God’s Glory,” entitled, “The Day God Hid the Wrench.”