The First Domino: How God’s Hand Guides Our Life from Birth to Eternity
Have you ever played dominoes? I’ve played with the pieces but never really played the official game. In many ways, I think God plays dominoes, too—and we are the dominos. His game starts with our creation, and from that moment, God’s hand guides our life, creating a ripple effect that spans our entire journey.
I love watching videos of intricate domino designs. Even though the patterns often go in a straight line, they also feature twists, turns, and hills, sometimes slowing down before picking up speed again. If that sounds a lot like life, it’s because it is.
God’s Hand Guides Our Life With The First Domino
The first domino in our life falls when God creates us and breathes life into us.
Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV):
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Not every day feels like it’s worthy of a domino. Some days feel ordinary—waking up, working, going to bed. But some days are extraordinary and deserve to be marked by a domino. The day you were born when you met your earthly parents! That’s definitely a domino-worthy moment.
The Dominoes of Childhood
Think about the “dominos” of your childhood, like milestones in a baby book. You would get a domino for sleeping through the night or learning to roll over. Sitting up by yourself, taking your first steps, and saying your first words—those moments all deserve a domino. Our parents celebrate these milestones, but what about the Lord?
God’s Hand Guides Our Life
What moments would God give us a domino for? Perhaps our first domino from the Lord would be when we learned to share. Selfishness is something we’re all born with, but sharing goes against our flesh. Mastering the art of sharing might be a domino-worthy act in God’s eyes.
Acts of kindness surely deserve a domino. Offering a kind word to a struggling classmate or friend? That’s something God would smile upon. Our tongue is one of the hardest muscles to control! I imagine God may have picked up more dominos over our language than He’s given out!
Through Life’s Big Moments, God’s Hand Guides Our Life
Life often feels like a highlight reel. First date, first kiss, graduating school, getting married, having children—these are the big moments we remember. But life’s hard moments also deserve a domino.
As kids, we worry about not having a date for homecoming or prom. As adults, those worries shift to more significant struggles. Marital problems, financial difficulties, or job loss—these aren’t easy, but they’re still part of the domino effect in life.
Hills and Valleys
My husband often reminds me, “Nothing really good or really bad lasts very long.” That’s comforting during hard times but a little unnerving when things are going well. Isn’t that life, though? We all have twists and turns we didn’t see coming. When things are going well, we ride the wave, but when the wave crashes, we wipe out.
The Beautiful Domino Creation
All the hills, valleys, twists, and turns create something beautiful. Looking back, I can see God’s hand guiding me through each part of my life. Many of the problems were my own doing, but He was there with me through them all. Sometimes, He had to send issues my way to remind me that He is Lord. Pride and control are two areas I struggle with. God occasionally has to step in and remind me who’s really in charge.
It Begins and Ends with the Lord
I remember the day I first understood that everyone dies. As a child, that realization was overwhelming. I couldn’t sleep that night, and I cried at the thought of losing the people I loved. That fear is still with me, but now I process it differently.
As a child, I didn’t know about eternal life. I thought death was the end of everything.
1 John 2:25 (NIV):
“And this is what he promised us—eternal life.”
Now, I know that God is the beginning and the end—the Alpha and the Omega. God started the domino effect of my life, and when my life ends, and the last domino falls, I hope it falls at His feet.
To GOD Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day
Let’s End with a Prayer
Lord, thank You for guiding our lives! Thank you for being with us through every twist, turn, and hill we encounter. Help us to see that You are in control, even when life feels chaotic. I pray that we trust in Your plan, knowing that You have carefully placed each domino in our life. When our time comes, may our final domino fall at Your feet, and may we live in Your eternal presence. Thank You for Your love, Your grace, and Your guidance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Such a beautiful sentiment Tania, you are so appreciated!
Hi Tania! I started reading your blog about a month ago. I love your content –it’s giving me so many ideas! But it’s the Scripture at the bottom that means the most. Here’s a verse that I rely on when it comes to the individual paths that the Lord has marked out for us: Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” I have learned to stay in peace and not to get ahead of Him — that would definitely knock some dominoes over! Thank you!
Laurie, I try to give God the Glory at all times, but I know that at times I don’t do a good job.
Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV):
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
How better said that abortion is killing God’s creation. God doesn’t create humans unworthy of life!
Another great Sunday post!! Thank you Tania!! You also made my day today when I opened the email “You’er A Winner!” Thank you for the $50 Amazon gift certificate!! You are the best! Have great day!!
Amy
I hope you find something nice!
Wonderful thoughts. Always make time to read your Sunday posts.
Another great Sunday post! Thank you, Tania!
Tania,
Thank you for a very thought provoking post! Thanks to God and His Provision, that last Domino will fall at His feet! It’s not based on our acts, it’s faith and trust in Jesus!
Have a wonderful blessed day!
Karen
I always look forward to your Sunday posts but this one was definitely one of my favorites.
Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into all your posts.
Thank you for this post! I’m going through some twists and turns myself now. I’m praying God will lead the way. ❤️
Linda, the twists and turns make a beautiful life, especially when the Lord is in control.
Amen, Tania. That is a wonderful way to look at our lives.
Very encouraging thoughts this Sunday!
Amen, love the message.
Thank you Tania, this was perfect timing!
Bless you!
This is great. There are so many twists and turns in our life but God is always there to guide and support us.
This is so humbling and so true Tania.
My golden years are not so golden anymore since I lost my son, but I know that someday we’ll be together again.
MaryCarol, I am so sorry! Knowing that you will once again be united is comforting.
This is a beautiful way our lives unfold and can be with our Lord. Thank you
Wonderful reminder!
Thanks
Thanks for this. I get lost in my own head sometimes and forget what is absolute…the beginning and the end.
yes, thanks for this, well said, Tania.
Thank you for your post. I always look forward to your Sundays. They really help me see things that God has and does in my life. Glory be to God!
Love your Sunday posts! 🙏💕
Amen and amen!!
Just lovely, thank you!
Thank you, Tania, for the beautiful analogy this morning. We’re so blessed by your devotionals each week. Wishing you a day full of joy and contentment!
I love this❤️ Happy Sunday 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Love the domino analogy! Especially “May the last domino fall at Your feet”.
Your clothing finds are wonderful, and your spiritual finds are even better!
Thankyou!
Mary, I’m so glad that you are still enjoying my blog.
I love the visual of the last domino falling at God’s feet! Thank you for sharing. I am putting that in my back pocket to share with my ladies Bible study small group.
Thanks, Bonnie. I love that the Lord put this post in my head on night. It is fun when I wake up with an upcoming post on my mind.
Tanya, this was a beautiful analogy. Thank you for this morning blessing.
I needed this devotion and prayer this morning. I am enjoying your clothes FB post and your devotions.
Amen, beautifully said.
Thank you LORD JESUS
Beautiful!
Have a blessed Sunday. To God be the glory!
Beautiful analogy ❣️
Thank you Tanya, you have been a delight and a blessing in my life.
Perfect comparison in the “game” of life. Thank you for this reminder.
Great thoughts!
I love this & look forward to more every Sunday. You are very blessed.
Read the book by Colleen Hoover “It Ends with Us” a while back and yesterday a friend shared her book “It Starts with Us” for me to read in the weeks ahead. These are fiction novels. But then How fitting that today’s message you share reminds us that it Begins and Ends with Our Lord. I am amazed at how often your meditation is exactly what my life needed at the moment. Please never stop with these Sunday posts!
Wonderful reflection Tania, thank you!
Greatest inspirational post I have heard! What a beautiful way to start my day!