Have you ever been in a situation or in a literal location that you are sick of being in, never wanted to go to, and really didn't get why God had not yet answered your prayer to deliver you the heck out, and on your way? Well, I have! And currently, I have been "stuck" in a real-life location (not just situation) that I have been so "OVER" and beyond ready to leave. I have prayed to God to deliver me and provide the opportunity for my departure, but the months have gone on and I have found myself getting to the point of "enough is enough"...still in this place. Some months ago, I must admit that I was spiritually able to realize why my "being stuck" in this location may have been necessary and most beneficial for other events that took place while I was "here". I even thought to myself, "Teri, enjoy the journey and learn during this time that you are 'stuck' as a hostage in this geographic jail cell". But today, I heard a word that finally made this continued misery of still being "here", seem worth the wait.
I was awakened at 5:48 a.m. this morning by an unexpected phone ring. Even though the call did not involve me and was not a life threatening emergency, it really woke me up and keep me from drifting peacefully back to sleep. Realizing that it was close to 6 a.m., I decided to catch a Christian program and hoped to view the following one at 6:30 a.m. It was the message at the end of the second program that did something for my soul.
In the program, the evangelist talked about a time when she and her family were getting ready to depart from a hotel in Hawaii, after being there for a conference. Initially, her intentions were to pack up their belongings and to check out of the hotel. However, at the last moment, she got a sudden craving for macadamian nut waffles and informed the children that they would eat in the hotel restaurant before departing. At the restaurant, a gentleman rudely cut in front of her family in the line as they waited to be seated by the hostess. Being somewhat perturbed, she decided to refrain from showing her feelings and remained quiet. As the hostess prepared to seat the gentleman, she asked him where he would like to sit and he directed her to seat him outdoors. Outdoors...this was exactly where the evangelist had her mind set on enjoying her breakfast, as well. When the hostess looked to her, inquired about her seating choice, and she requsted the outdoors, the evangelist was disappointingly told that the outdoor seating was booked. Quite disturbed and a bit upset inside (especially since she felt that the gentleman who had cut them, had taken her choice spot), she still managed to keep her cool and her mouth shut. The hostess led her and her family to the most remote area of the entire restaurant. She sat down and decided to let her children go and get their food while she kept watch over the table. She describe how unhappy she felt about her seating and even how closely her table was placed next to the other dining table beside her.
As she waited on her children, all of a sudden, the lady sitting at the table so close to hers mentions to her that God had instructed her to give the evangelist something. The stranger then proceeded to give her a beautiful ring made of diamonds and emeralds. She was astounded and grateful.
On her flight home, she gazed at her ring and then realized that if she had not been in the right place at the right time, she would not be admiring such a beautiful ring. She thought about her initial experience at the restaurant and how she had chosen to "keep her cool". She also thought of how she would not have been near the lady that had blessed her with the gift if she had in fact enjoyed breakfast outdoors.
From her experience, I realized that sometimes we may find ourselves in a location or in a predicament in life that we are not pleased to be in; just as the evangelist found herself in furthest, back corner of the restaurant, with no hopes of enjoying the Hawaiian views of palm trees, blue waters, and stately mountains. But it maybe in that place, that seems so unattractive, miserable, & undesirable to us, and totally NOT our "cup of tea", that God has predestined as our "HOOK UP" location for a great blessing...one that sparkles!
By 7 a.m., my morning was already made...sooooo...I got up? NO, I went back to bed and got some rest for my body & soul. LOL! When I awoke later, I was also reminded of Joseph's experience in the well and most definitely in jail. It was in jail that he made the "hook up" connections for his blessing in the Pharaoh's empire.
Sooooo, going forward I hope not to complain about my location anymore, while I wait for God to deliver me from it...because now, I'm just waiting for my great blessing to arrive! Praise be to the Lord, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city (Psalm 31:21)
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