After I graduated from high school in Hong Kong, I had no desire to attend college. Rather I studied at a culinary school and became a certified chef because I wanted to be a professional cook in a Chinese restaurant. But one night, my parents talked me into pursuing a college degree in Chicago. They won, and at the same time they also shattered my dream.
In the fall quarter during my sophomore year, I took a linguistics class as one of my elective courses. The person who sat beside me was a beautiful Asian girl. One day after class, I asked her if she was an American Born Chinese (ABC). To my surprise, she said she came from Hong Kong.
If I did not see her pray before her meal at the campus cafeteria, I would not have asked her if she was a Christian. After a brief chat about Christianity, she invited me to church. Later on, God moved my heart, and I accepted the Lord as my personal Savior.
As our friendship grew, the girl and I fell in love with each other. Years later, we were married in the presence of the Lord.
If the series of events did not happen, what would become of me today? Things do not happen coincidentally. They come to our lives as the Lord has planned according to His own purposes at His appointed time.
Proverbs 16:9 (NIV): In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Dicky
Dicky To's Inspirational Writings 
That’s a sweet story how you met your wife, but most important, how you came to know the Lord. May I ask why your parents thought Chicago would be the best place for you to go to college?
And what college did you attend, Dicky? I love the photo you have
surrounding this page. Very nice.:)
Blessings,
Diane
They thought their friends would take care of me. I attended University of Illinois and then North Park University (a Christian college)
Dicky, did you stay with their friends? What did you think of the city of the big shoulders once you arrived? 🙂
Hi, Dicky… This was a very sweet post. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Sybil.
Beautiful hand of God.
Thank you for your nice comment Kristine.
Beautiful!
Thank you Holly. God is Wonderful.
Powerful powerful work of the Lord my friend! 🙂 Sometimes God gives us the things we do not want, but He gives us the things we always need. 🙂
Thank you Joyce, and it’s very true about our Lord’s provisions.
Yes, He is good and has a plan for our lives. It is good to be reminded. Thanks.
Thank you Tammie. Yes, God has a plan for everyone.
This is a lovely story Dicky. My heart was touched. God bless you both.
Thank you Terra.
What a beautiful true story, Dicky, and wonderfully expressed! Thank you!
Thank you Susan for your nice comments.
A true love story. Boy, Girl and Savior!
Thank you Connie.
There is no coincidence with God – it’s a God-incident. So glad you followed the plan He had for you. Stay the course – for He knows the plans He has for you, to prosper and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
Thank you Paula, and yes there is no coincidence with God. He plans everything in our lives.
Great story Dicky, even better that it’s true!
Thank you for your word of encouragement.
This is beautiful Dicky. To look back and see each time the Lord’s hand directed circumstances to get us to where we are today is a powerful thing. To know that each event is hinged on another, and to know that just one thing happening differently would have changed everything is amazing. We serve an awesome God!
Thank you for your nice note Drusilla.
HI Dicky! I apologize that I haven’t had a chance to visit your blog in awhile. I love this post! Such a beautiful reminder that God is in control and that we need to continue to trust him in our lives. I just posted a new blog today on my website called “Following God’s Call” which is similar to the topic you wrote about. I can relate to your story in that I had parents that always thought they knew what was best in my life when I was in college. I confess I often followed their advice before going to the Lord. Yet, God still protected me and brought wonderful people in my life!
Hi Danielle, thank you for your nice comment and insight. Our Lord does have a plan for each one of us.