Timing

The oddest events occur at the perfect time.  Phone calls come when east expected.  An email shows up when you think everything is quiet.  At the strangest hour, one is tapped for a quick chat.  Then there are the other times, which for me is most of the time.  I wait and the phone sits quietly in solidarity.  I anticipate yet my mailbox remains empty, even junk mail is on strike.  I refresh my messenger list while everyone remains offline. 
I wish life owed me something, for then my waiting would have a purpose.  It would be interesting if I could always take, then anticipation would take on a new perspective.  Imagine a world where everyone knew me needs, even before I did.  I am not sure I would like this world of my imagination.  In many ways this is a good thing, because we do not live in a world like this.  Life demands, owing us nothing.  Life takes, even if we cannot afford to give.  Life consumes, ignoring all pleas for moderation.  There is a paradox playing out, toying with our desires, hopes, and dreams.
I find that trying to control life is a waste of time.  Life has its own agenda.  I continue to discover that manipulating events to my advantage is fruitless.  Life's complexities always extend beyond my reach.  Even my attempts to anticipate are pointless.  Life turns in ways we cannot imagine.
Yet, there is something you and I can do.  We can respond to God's Spirit, even when it does not always make sense.  To the uninitiated, it did not make sense that “one day at three o'clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting.”  (Acts 3.1)  It did not, but given what was to follow, to one community it did.  To the novice, compassion does not always seem like the right answer.  It may not, but truth is power beyond our imagination.  It need not be random, because we hold the timing compassion's appearance in our hands, hearts, and voice.