By Ariane Williams

I was excited all day just to attend an evening program. I got home in a decent time. We enjoyed an early “prepared dinner.” Outfits were ready to compliment the program. Everything was perfect. Everything was balanced “in time.” I wanted to leave 10 minutes early, because the parking lot normally gets crowded for these types of events when a large crowd is expected.

We must be lucky, because there were no other cars there when we pulled up to the building. My husband drove around to the other doors, but there was still no sign of activity. I decided to do one last check. I sent a text message to a friend that confirmed my thoughts. “The event is not until May. That is why I place everything on my calendar,” is what she said to me.

I am always punctual when it comes to these things. How could I make a mistake? There were some laughs, but then there was a moment of disappointment. Deep down, I felt like I failed in my timing.

There was one more problem that I had to address. My mom was on the way, and she does not live right around the corner. She called earlier to tell us that she was not going to be able to make it due to an accident on the highway. After crawling in traffic for almost two hours until the overturned truck was removed from the highway, she was finally clear to move freely. When I called to tell her that I was wrong about the date, she said that she was still coming. She asked if we had dinner prepared. I told her yes, and she said, “Good, because I’m hungry.” My mom came over, and we had some good laughs and enjoyed dinner. Great timing, I must say, but not my time.

I learned that God definitely controls the power of time. God controls the power of change. God controls the power of peace. God controls the power of satisfying the hunger when the mistakes of life leave you feeling starved. My husband stated to me that evening, “It’s OK. The mistake in date didn’t change anything from our normal schedule; we were prepared.”

We spend so much time these days allowing our mistakes and fear of failure control our time to move freely. We must learn to keep moving just like time. Mistakes are actions that are misguided. I now have the choice of being prepared for an upcoming event in a different way. I have the choice to have a different mindset. Re-evaluate your plans and your mindset. Days after the mistake, I asked God a couple of questions. Why were we the only ones there at that time? Did anyone else make this mistake? The parking lot would have been filled if the event was today. Yet, there was only one vehicle there on that date and at that time. I was missing something. I was failing to see the extent of God’s timing.

God said to me in my writing, “Daughter, sometimes, I call my children to go into a place first before I send in the multitudes so that my children can pray, only they do not pray.” The timing was never wrong. My actions were misguided, and I was supposed to pray during that time at that place. God is trying to guide you into His timing. He is calling you out first to survey the land before the multitudes arrive. The accident in the road that tried to block my mom serves as a reminder that you will get to your destination. You may not get there at your expected time, but you will get there. If you continue to move despite the blocks in the road, you will enjoy your prepared meal. We are in the process of God’s timing.

So, I ask you, how are you processing God’s timing in your life? Do you have faith that there will be a full meal waiting for you when you arrive at your destination? When there is no sign of physical activity, spiritual activity must take place. It is praying time.

Ariane Williams is a teacher, minister, published author and liturgical dancer. Email her at arianewilliams810@yahoo.com.