What would it mean to find a "needle in a haystack?" It is a statement that implies the near impossibility of location and circumstances. I have never been one to believe in coincidences when it comes to God...I especially don't think so now.
As Dan and I arrived in the New Forest, we straight away went on a pilgrimage to find a place God has spoke to me about several times...the New Forest observatory. We had no idea what we would see or what we were looking for, but God had said there was a "science gate" in this forest, and we were on a search to locate it.
The New Forest Heritage Area covers 140,000
acres, making it the largest contiguous area of un-sown vegetation in lowland Britain. It is vast in territory encompassing small villages, tributaries and coast land dwellings. We were in one of the little villages, Brockenhurst, where the Lord had told me I would locate the observatory.
We walked for miles seeing wild ponies, ancient churches and the amazing terrain of the woodland. We stopped on the way and asked a woman if she lived in Brockenhurst? She said she did, but when we asked her about the observatory, she looked stunned knowing nothing of it. We walked for a few hours and then switched footpaths. We asked another woman if she lived in the forest. She said, "Yes." We asked if she knew of the observatory. She chuckled and said,"Parker's observatory? He lives right down the path from me. The Observatory is in his back garden." She offered to lead us to his place. We took her offer and followed her deeper into the forest. We could not possibly have found this place by ourselves. It wound around and through the woods.
As we approached the property, we entered through a gate. I assumed this must be the "science gate" that God had spoke of for the last few years.
Dan and I had no idea what to expect. No one knew we were coming. We had no idea we would see anything...but here we were, on a path to an observatory, over 4ooo miles from home in a forest of a 140,000 acres being led by a woman we did not know and escorted to the front door of the destination God had asked us to seek out.
Since our new found friend knew the couple of this residence, she rang the bell. A very sweet woman in gardening clothes answered the door. Our new friend, Margaret, excitedly said,"Hilga, these people from America have come to see the observatory." The lady of the house was caught very off guard. She called upon her husband and invited us in.
For the next hour we were taken through to the back garden to see the observatory, and then back inside to view amazing shots of constellations, galaxies and nebulas taken with this fantastic telescope...and of course...a nice cup of tea.
Dr. Parker and I spoke of many things concerning astronomy. His work is quite brilliant! He had several projects he was working on. We exchanged business cards and emails. We were grateful for our meeting.
As we left, Dan and I realized something that would change our thinking forever. These types of happenings are "Godcidentals". Such junctions in life are seen by God outside of eternity and revealed to us prior to them happening. When He tells us to do something, it is because He has already seen it from His kingdom. This was not coincidence or accident. All Dan and I had to do was put one foot in front of the other to walk into God's plan. We couldn't make it happen; we didn't have to. God had orchestrated it as we followed His lead by faith.
I can not begin to tell you what it all means...I only know I have had a paradigm shift. If God says to do something, He will see it through...I just need to open the gate and step into His plan. The other side will always be beyond my imagination.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.
Psalm 19:1
If you would like more information about the New Forest Observatory, here is the link: www.newforestobservatory.com
