Distribution Points are Falling Out of the Sky

Distribution Points Are Falling Out of the Sky
Stardate 03.11.2026

Nearly a year ago, I sat down with my pastor—who also serves as my spiritual director—to share a prototype of The Adventures of Castaway Wilson. I wanted his counsel before taking the next step in the journey.

That next step was an important one. I was preparing to meet with a high-level contact at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics to introduce my writing projects and explore the possibility of collaboration.

Before heading to that meeting, I stopped by my pastor’s office.

At one point during our conversation, something remarkable happened. As I raised my hands toward the sky while explaining the vision behind the project, a flash of lightning struck nearby. Thunder rolled almost immediately afterward, shaking the ground.

We both paused.

Moments like that tend to get your attention.

When our conversation ended, I continued on to the hospital to meet with the representative from the university. It happened to be spring break, which meant their schedule was unusually tight. Still, they carved out a few minutes to listen.

Looking back now, that brief meeting planted a seed. What seemed small at the time quietly laid a foundation for what is unfolding today.

Fast forward to this past Sunday.

I was sitting in the pew listening to my pastor share stories from his own life experiences. At the time, one question had been circling in my mind: How can I create distribution points for the new coloring book so it can reach children who are patients at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital?

Then my pastor mentioned something during his message that caught my full attention.

He spoke about visiting children at the hospital to offer comfort and prayer.

And suddenly another flash of insight arrived.

If my pastor already visits these young patients as part of his ministry, perhaps he could simply bring along coloring books and crayons during those visits. A small gift. A quiet moment of encouragement.

It would also respect the privacy protections established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, since I would never be interacting with the patients directly.

One simple idea—yet it solved a complicated challenge.

Then something else happened.

About forty-eight hours later, a local community leader introduced herself to me at my day job. She was dropping off a donation request for a group she oversees—an organization that serves roughly 400 to 500 young people with special needs each week.

During our conversation, I mentioned the coloring book project and asked if the children she works with might benefit from receiving free coloring books and crayons.

Because of the professional boundaries tied to my job, I made sure to do this the right way. I handed her my supervisor’s business card and explained that any next steps would need to go through the appropriate channels, possibly under the umbrella of our ongoing support for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

She understood immediately.

And just like that, another possible distribution pathway appeared.

When moments like these begin stacking up, it can feel as if opportunities are falling out of the sky.

Of course, what’s really happening is something quieter and more patient. Seeds planted months—or even years—earlier are beginning to grow.

Today happens to be a day off from my regular job. As the sun rises after my Golden Hour routine, I’ll be meeting with my international blog sponsor from London on a video call. We are now six days away from launch, and at this moment, all systems appear to be green.

Scripture reminds us that sometimes guidance appears step by step rather than all at once:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
— Proverbs 3:5–6

Looking back, I can see that each step in this journey arrived exactly when it was needed.

Stay tuned.

And if you’re interested in seeing how the story continues, check in for the Facebook livestream on St. Patrick’s Day. The exact time will be announced once we finalize birthday plans for our daughter on Stardate 03.17.2026.

Join me here:
https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

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🖖 Captain’s Addendum

Bones: “Captain, are you telling me lightning strikes are now part of the distribution strategy?”

Spock: “Highly improbable, Doctor. However, the Captain’s experiences suggest a pattern of well-timed opportunities.”

Captain Michael: I’m learning that when you keep moving forward with patience and purpose, the right doors have a way of appearing—sometimes quietly, sometimes with a flash of lightning.

May your path today bring you clarity, courage, and one unexpected opportunity.

Live long, and prosper in purpose. 🖖