Jenny and I were whisked through the airport to quickly catch our flight home. Unable to sit together I found myself next to a middle age woman. Quite frankly I was too tired to want to enter into conversation so I began reading a book.

“Is that a Christian book?” inquired the stranger next to me. When I said yes, there ensued a conversation about her life and constantly finding herself complaining about everything in life. She even wondered out loud why her husband had remained with her all these years.

After a few moments I shared with her that while traveling I had found an old worn copy of Merlin Carothers book, Prison to Praise. Having read the book 32 years ago, I decided to buy it and reread it on vacation. After reading I was deeply touched by God again. Far too often I find myself focusing on my daily circumstances and becoming irritated over minor inconveniences. Shouldn’t we be “praising God for all our circumstances” as the Bible clearly outlines in I Thessalonians 5:18? Isn’t God really in control, and if so why do we not do as the Psalmist indicated, “From the rising of the sun to the setting of the sun I will give you praise.” (Psalm 113:3) You see, a life of praise is a life of faith - trusting and thanking our heavenly Father that in all of life He knows what is best for you and me.

As I finished sharing my thoughts with my stranger friend, she seemed a bit startled. “Do you know what I have been reading this past week?” She reached down in her pocket book and pulled out a copy of Prison to Praise! We spent the next two hours swapping stories of the good things God had done for us.

My life is richer today for all the “divine appointments” and interruptions He has brought my way. And in reality He does so for each one of us. Be on the lookout, keep the antennas up, someone may cross your path today who will bless you or you are there to bless them.

– From Larry Cochran of Go International, used with permission.

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