Before today, I had no idea that raccoons possess a certain type of power.

I really, really, really hate admitting my addiction to Facebook, but it, accidentally on purpose, has a place in my life now.

I use Facebook differently than when I first joined. It used to be a way for me to stay connected with my sisters and other family members. I love seeing Navi and Jaden (my niece and nephew) considering they’re more than 700 miles away. I’ve been able to reconnect with old acquaintances. It’s where I gave birth to my trademark. And because I’m an e-learning enthusiast, I recognize its potential for transforming the learning process.

I also realize that Facebook also provides fodder for GoneGirlGo. Most posts inspire and encourage me like the one this morning someone posted,

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

I refuse to skip Bible posts knowing that I took the time to read an update about a party over the weekend or a rant that somebody needs to get off their chest. This particular verse stood out to me today and here’s why.

I believe everything that has happened in my life was prepared beforehand – before the beginning of time, history, my ancestors, my parents, and me.

It might be a challenging notion for some to believe and that’s ok with me. I don’t mind challenging you or being challenged myself because that’s how we grow. Remember, this movement is not about prejudice, bias, and stereotypes. It is my belief and you can choose to subscribe to it or not. If you are reading this, I would hope that you would hold my belief with some regard because I have chosen to share it with you. But let me finish my point.

Since I hold this belief, I’ve come to also believe that things can happen accidentally on purpose. Things that I had no control over, but were prepared beforehand just for me. Are you still tracking with me?

Several amazing things have happened accidentally on purpose recently that I’d like to share.

• Seeing Dawn at TJ Maxx almost two years ago without a notion that our friendship would blossom and that she would be that one person to encourage me to push forward and execute that one idea.
• Meeting Terre at Opus when I clearly wasn’t interested in making new friends, even though my heart was crying out for a change. I know she’s tired of me saying this, but I’m glad we connected. Her energy has rubbed off on me in such a good way.
• Being interrupted by a raccoon two days in a row during my drive to work. Based on Native American beliefs, this animal has the kind of power that has been surfacing in my life recently. (Of course, I’m not going to worship raccoons now, but it does make me feel a certain way identifying with my Native American ancestry.)
• Praying with Deacon Domingue this past Sunday who after I shared with him my prayer request, said, “You should look up my daughter. She might be able to help you.” Truth be told, I really wanted to pray with Vanessa, but she wasn’t available when my turn came. What’s really funny about this accidental thing that happened on purpose was that I didn’t even know that he had a daughter! I looked her up on Monday, and we talked today. And she is cold y’all and after we talked all I could say was WOW.
• Losing my precious job in October 2010. If I had still worked for Head Start, I would have never pushed forward with  GoneGirlGo because Head Start was such a consuming passion for me. I grew up professionally in Head Start and spent about 15 years in that environment. Maybe it was time for me to leave that comfort zone.

I can think of a few more things that have happened to me accidentally on purpose. But don’t you think that these are enough to contemplate right now? I do.

What about you? What has happened in your life that was accidentally on purpose? Share in comments below on the Facebook. Email me for a personal exchange.