Serendipity... or Not


The effects of the "Great Blackout of 2003" continued today here in Toronto. I got an unexpected break from my usual routine and used it to full advantage. I worked more on my online projects making some very important connections with other like-minded people. And from my 18th floor 'perch', I observed that other people were doing pretty much the same thing; connecting with other similar thinkers and doers.

I was abruptly awakened at 3:00 A.M. by our building's alarm system, signaling that our power had been restored after being off for 11 hours. I stayed up for a bit and played with my cat. Before going back to bed for a couple more hours I noticed that cars were already lining up at the 24-hour gas station across the street!

By sunrise, the three gas stations within my viewing range were jammed with cars. Line-ups at all pumps were a solid 30 cars long at each station throughout the day. As I write this now at nearly 9:00 PM eastern time, two of the three gas stations have closed down, well before the usual 'quitting time'. Actually, it was the 24-hour station that shut down first around 4:30 P.M.

The scene was reminiscent of the early 70s "oil crisis". (I'm really dating myself now! ) And with the temperatures soaring well into the 30s (Celsius = 100+ F), it could not have been a very pleasant experience, especially if you were next in line when the station put up the "out of gas" sign!

The point of all this is "Birds of a feather DO flock together!" It certainly was a day of serendipity... or not. I could have easily chosen to join those long line-ups of over-heated and frustrated people at the gas bar, just as every one of those folks could have easily chosen to stay home and build connections and relationships that would nurture and serve them for years to come.

"Choose you this day whom ye will serve" Joshua 24:15

Indeed!

Best wishes from Toronto,
Russ