I was just thinking on “life’s coincidences”….there sure are a lot of them. I have a pretty good memory and discovered a long time ago, that if you remembered things and reflected back on them, life was sure full of “coincidences”. Today, as a Christian, I have a different view on how things happen, but back then, I couldn’t see that there was any kind of long-range plan that consisted of so many intertwined weavings that these were so easy to overlook at chalk up to coincidence.

On Saturday, the ministry was blessed when two of my old time friends and fellow karate sensei, both came to visit for the first time ever, on the same day. Sensei Wayne had last visited sometime during the summer (before football season began, haha) while Sensei Peter had come twice before, the last time, perhaps a year ago. We certainly enjoyed their dual presence and Sensei Wayne gladly taught for me during the second half of training, while Sensei Peter joined me in the training line like we used to, over thirty years earlier. A good time was had by all, and I am truly glad for their friendship and the fact that they enjoy our ministry too.

Sensei Peter was coaxed into joining karate during his freshman year in college by….me. I had just found out that my old childhood friend, who I had practiced aikido with during our early teens, had followed his older brother Dennis into Shotokan. I wanted to try it out, but thought it would be more fun having a friend start with me. We began a little while after Sensei Wayne had started…he also had joined because of his friendship with Dennis’ younger brother, my best buddy in elementary school. In addition, I had found out thirty years after the fact, that my partner at the SKC, Sensei Paul, had begun his study of Shotokan because his fellow-worker at the E/W Center Cafeteria (on-campus school job) was practicing the art…his name was Dennis. That’s right, Sensei Paul, Sensei Wayne, Sensei Peter and myself have been involved in sharing karate-do for over three decades….and all share the common thread of having been introduced to Shotokan through the influence of the same man…Dennis N.

Ironically, Dennis, who was a very good karateka would make it to shodan in about four years, then was commissioned into the US Army as a 2LT, returned after four years…but never really returned to practicing karate. He made his career as a teacher and VP in the public high schools and is of retirement age today. Similarly, it was also indirectly due to his influence that I would serve a tour as an Air Force officer after college, while Sensei Peter recently retired as a Lt Col after 26 years in the AF and reserves. While Dennis’ season with karate was to last a short four years, he was directly responsible for at least four active senseis who have been able to share the art with hundreds, possibly thousands of students till this day (including each of you). It is likely that there are others he influenced that we don’t know about, not to mention those who come after us. Such a ripple effect, and such a coincidence, eh?

Today, by coincidence, Dennis lives about two blocks away from me, though I’ve only talked to him once in the last 25 years. How did that happen? About ten years ago, I was outside in the yard, doing some of my weekly weeding. As I bent over, engrossed in my landscaping efforts, I heard a car slow down in front of my yard. A middle-aged woman stuck her head out and tentatively asked me…”Are you Dennis N?”. I thought, what a strange question to ask a stranger weeding in the yard!?! I answered, “No…Hmm, is the Dennis N you’re looking for, a teacher?” “I’m not sure”, she answered, “I think he might be…I have a shiatsu appointment with him.” Thinking that it might be my childhood friend’s brother, I asked her to wait while I looked in the phonebook. I was able to find his name at a Mililani address and called. I recognized his low, serious voice immediately, told him who I was and asked if he was expecting a shiatsu customer. He answered in the affirmative, surprised that I would know this. I got the instructions to his house and was able to direct the amazed woman to her appointment. Maybe a small way of helping her and the man who was indirectly responsible for so many good things in my life. Coincidental, huh?…or was it? Life is full of them, if you look for them. Lord knows what rippling, long-lasting effects may emanate from the actions you take in faith and with passion each day.