This story came into my inbox recently and it is one that I want to really let sink in and remember. So often as everything is going all wrong and the delays are piling up left and right, I want to be frustrated because things are not going my way. Yet, as this story reminds us, those troublesome times and problems that keep us from doing what we want when we want may just be a blessing from God that will never be realized. Enjoy the perspective for when everything is going wrong!
A CONVERSATION BETWEEN GOD AND A MAN:
Man: God, can I ask You a question?
God: Sure.
Man: Promise You won’t get mad …
God: I promise.
Man: Why did You let so much stuff happen to me today?
God: What do you mean?
Man: Well, I woke up late
God: Yes
Man: My car took forever to start
God: Okay
Man: At lunch they made my sandwich wrong & I had to wait.
God: Hummmm.
Man: On the way home, my phone went DEAD, just as I picked up a call.
God: All right.
Man: And on top of it all off, when I got home ~ I just want to soak my feet in my new foot massager & relax. BUT it wouldn’t work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did You do that?
God: Let me see, the death angel was at your bed this morning & I had to send one of my angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that.
Man: (humbled): OH
God: I didn’t let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.
Man: (ashamed)
God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick & I didn’t want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn’t afford to miss work.
Man: (embarrassed): Okay
God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn’t even let you talk to them so you would be covered.
Man: (softly): I see God
God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn’t think you wanted to be in the dark.
Man: I’m Sorry God
God: Don’t be sorry, just learn to trust me…. in all things, the good & the bad.
Man: I will trust You.
God: And don’t doubt that My plan for your day is always better than your plan.
Man: I won’t God. And let me just tell you God, Thank You for Everything today.
God: You’re welcome child, I Love looking after My Children…
I was just reading in my devotions how ordering our day and our to do lists can become an idol and that we need to trust God for what is important in His eyes for our day. We need to be open to detours and projects that were not on our list. Like anything, a person can take it too far one way, but it is really a balance of getting the necessary things done- its not an excuse to ignore the household and family duties. But it is about not getting so stuck in a routine that we are rendered useless for Him.
As I have been seeking peaceful calm in my life and home, this is one area that God has been pruning. He has enabled me to cut out the unnecessary and the distractions, leaving the crucial tasks. What freedom there is in not being bound to a heavy list! I am so grateful for what He has done and the peace He has given me.
Just an example. The move to WordPress and redesign of this blog was a task given to me that I was not planning on. I had (and still have) a project list a mile high. But God said now and it was a joy to complete the task for Him. I am excited to see what His plans are for this space- but what I learned is this:
The anxiety leaves when you are operating within His will and everything necessary will be completed.
So when everything seems to be going wrong and we want to be impatient and annoyed with those around us, let’s take a moment and thank God for His unknown blessing.
