just got this from a buddy in email, and it's the kind of thing that's been on my mind a lot lately. some things in life happen that we don't really appreciate until hindsight shows us the WHY of it all. one of the hardest lessons i've had to learn is a lesson of FAITH -- and knowing that even when it makes NO sense, when seemingly annoying things happen to delay us or even outright BAD things happen that can totally push us off of our well-planned paths, well... it's all connected.
i've been down a lot lately, but now the fog is clearing. what i see are things i thought i already knew. as my wife reminds me in such times, "it's going to be okay; it already IS okay -- we just don't know what 'okay' looks like yet."
anyway, this is just a little something to think about -- the blessing of getting sidetracked.
-------------------------------------------------------
After Sept. 11th, one company invited the remaining members of other companies who had been decimated by the attack on the Twin Towers to share their available office space. At a morning meeting, the head of security told stories of why these people were alive -- and all the stories were just "the little things."
As you might know, the head of the company got in late that day because his son started kindergarten. Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts. One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time. One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident. One of them missed his bus. One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change. One's car wouldn't start. One went back to answer the telephone. One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have. One couldn't get a taxi. The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.
Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone . all the little things that annoy me. I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment.
The next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can't seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light, don't get mad or frustrated; God is at work watching over you.
May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things and may you remember their possible purpose.
-------------------------------------------------------
amen.
