It's been a while since I've shared inexplicable events in life that some call coincidence, but I know as "GodNods." More than a dozen readers have sent their stories of serendipitous happenings that changed their lives in seemingly miraculous ways.
So today being a Sunday, it seemed a good time to tell about one of my own.
Back in 1994, I'd been living in Toms River, N.J., while heading the investigative team at the Asbury Park Press for what felt like the longest year of my life.
I wouldn't wish the experience called New Jersey on anyone. I was homesick for the natural beauty and majesty of my native Ozarks, even to the point of longing to hug a massive oak tree and wade in a clear stream with crawdads. (Yeah, I know how weird that sounds. But it's true.)
One night, I laid in bed and said a simple prayer. It went something like this: "Lord, if you can see fit to please let me go back to Arkansas and do what I do again back home, I hope you'll let that happen and you'll give a sign that you hear me. Pulleeasse! But if you want me to stay in New Jersey, just show me that, too. Let your will be done, not mine."
I realized the editorship opportunities at daily papers in Northwest Arkansas at the time were extremely limited (maybe a half dozen or so) which naturally made finding such an opening all but impossible.
Several days passed. Nothing from the higher source. Still, I remained hopeful.
Then the latest Editor and Publisher trade magazine arrived. I flipped to the classified ads. My eyes immediately locked on the one in a box that read: "Wanted, experienced editor for daily newspaper in Northwest Arkansas."
Say what? And this arriving not six months ago or a year from now, but only days after my prayer!
I pursued the ad and within a week was on a plane headed to Russellville to interview for the job. The offer came a day later and I recognized the message to me.
Then the story got even better. After returning to New Jersey and beginning plans to return to Arkansas, I happened to talk with longtime newspaper colleague George Smith, who was publisher of the Northwest Arkansas Times in Fayetteville. He was surprised to hear I'd been offered the editorship in Russellville.
"If I'd known you were interested in coming back home, I'd have tried to work something out here," he said.
The next day George called to say he wanted to fly me to Fayetteville and talk about a possible plan for me in Fayetteville. Back on a plane three days later.
In Fayetteville, George said he'd done some overnight personnel shifting in the newsroom that suddenly made the editor's position available if I wanted it. By now, with offers to come back home from TWO different dailies, I understood I was getting the spiritual response to my prayer, also known as a GodNod.
I reconsidered the offer from Russellville and accepted the job in Fayetteville.
And just three weeks after my prayer for a return, I was back in the hills meeting my newsroom staff and rejoicing that the door had been so remarkably opened for me after a decade away.
A quarter appears
Here's another GodNod for valued readers to contemplate.
Jeanetta McCroskey of Harrison was midway through a long, reflective walk along residential streets. Alone with her thoughts, she was using the time to ponder her situations in life while asking for guidance from her creator.
"I asked if I was in the right place and headed in the right direction at this time of my life to please show me some kind of money as a sign," she said. "I don't know why I picked money, it just seemed like a good idea at the moment.
"Well, I hadn't walked another 20 steps when, there, lying in front of me directly in the middle of the street, lay a shiny quarter. I stood staring in disbelief and wanted to cry when I knelt to pick it up."
She said when she reflected deeper on her discovery, she realized it could only have been an answer to her question. "The coin wasn't beside the street where I'd ordinarily find a penny or dime. It was smack in the center of the street. It wasn't a mile behind me or one street over, but 20 steps ahead in my path and right after I'd asked for guidance.
"Finally," she continued, "I hardly ever discover a quarter lying on a street or sidewalk, much less one so bright and sparkling lying smack in the center of a street."
So we now can count Ms. McCroskey among the many in the world who've experienced a GodNod that brought comfort to their lives. Skeptics and cynics can call it a coincidence. But don't waste time trying to convince this woman, or me.
Had a GodNod of your own? Don't hesitate to share it with me at my email address below.
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Mike Masterson's column appears regularly in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Email him at [email protected].
Editorial on 08/07/2016