The Lows Validate the Highs

I've been going about things the wrong way. This week, God tested me and I almost failed. I almost missed the lesson He was trying to teach me. I almost missed the message He was trying to send because I was too busy looking at what was wrong instead of praising Him for what is right. Here's a story about perspective, here's my testimony...

I had a head cold, or a sinus infection. I'm actually not sure what, but I was congested for about a week. I'm still congested actually, and it hurts. I decided that I didn't want to take time off of work. I didn't feel like I could afford to. I kept waking up every morning and going about my day, light headed and all. Wednesday was different though. I felt miserable and I woke up an hour late; not a great start to my day. I knew at that moment I would be late for work, and I realized then that I got my period too. Yes, my period. I felt sick and tired. 

I tried to rush through my morning routine; shower, teeth, hair, etc. I was ready to run out the door when I remembered that my father was taking my car to the shop that morning. I grabbed the keys to his truck and as I was running out into the rain, he let me know he didn't have any gas. Great! Just what I needed.

I pulled up to a gas station with seemingly cheap gas and it was PACKED! There was no room for any extra cars, but I tried my best to pull in and park as best I could, even with the lady in the Dunkin' Donuts drive thru taking up a lot of my space near the pump. I jumped out the door to see if I had gotten close enough to the pump and BOOM! The wind slammed the car door shut and it locked. My phone, the car keys and everything I owned was locked inside.

Everything in me wanted to cry. I asked an older lady at a pump near my own to borrow her phone. She looked nervous and reluctant, but I think she could see the tears welling up in my eyes. She begrudgingly passed open her phone and I was able to call my father. As I waited for him to bring me a spare key, I pumped gas using my credit card in hand and I went inside to order Dunkin' for breakfast. I needed a pick me up.

Here's where the story turns...

I ordered a breakfast sandwich, a vanilla chai latte, and for some odd reason, a box of doughnuts. I don't generally eat them, but I felt like I needed them that morning. I ordered 10 munchkins and the cashier gave me 11. I ate one, and then I saw my dad in the window.

I drove down the road, late as ever to work at this point. I was sick. I was angry. I considered turning around and going home. Traffic was building up in some areas and I took a different exit than normal to avoid getting stuck on the highway.

As I exited, I saw a woman on the side of the road. She looked pleasant. She was dressed nicely, but looked exhausted in the face. She was stopping at cars at the traffic light and making an eating gesture with her hands. She wasn't holding a sign or asking for money like I'm used to. She was asking people for food.

As she approached the truck, I rolled the window down and passed her the random box of doughnuts that I bought. "Sorry I don't have any more," I said to her. She smiled at me and respectfully accepted the box. "I'm just out here trying to get my breakfast," she replied. "This is a blessing." 

As the light turned green and I pulled away, probably never to see that woman again, I broke down and cried. I prayed to God and apologized for how selfish I had been. How had I not realized it before? God makes no mistakes and I was exactly where I was meant to be that morning, late and all. It was part of a greater plan to bless a woman in need and I was worthy of being part of her blessing. God had used me for a greater purpose although all I could see at the time was how much I had been inconvenienced. The low points validate the highs. My father always told me that "It's a blessing to be a blessing," and in that moment, I felt exactly how true that statement was.

My perspective changed that morning. Look for the good in every experience, even if it's hard to find. The good is there. It's all around us. Be blessed. Be a blessing!

XO,
Née