She worked at the Dior makeup counter of Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City. Saks is not a place I frequent and her testimony isn’t one I hear every day. Though I think we should (hear more testimonies of the great workings of our God, not frequent Saks : – ).
She’d battled cancer four times – and won. How? Her exact words were:
“It’s all Him.”
The ice was broken, the door was opened and a beautiful conversation ensued. After sharing her incredible story, she spoke of a young man she met on the subway. Pointing to the Bible in her lap he said, “He’s awesome!” “I know,” she replied. He continued by sharing his God story. Unemployed and without money, he’d stood just feet away from a young woman outside the door of her townhouse. He’d followed her home. He planned to rob her. The clanging of her keys revealed that her hand was trembling. She knew why he was there.
Ready to approach, he was suddenly halted by a voice. Not just any voice, he heard the voice of God:
“If you will pass by this opportunity, I have something better I will give you.”
He listened. He heeded. He passed it by. “Today,” he told her, “I own my own business.”
I’ve been pondering the specific words God spoke to him: “If you will pass by this opportunity, I have something better I will give you.” One year ago today, I had the opportunity to be overcome with despair. I had the opportunity to tell God, “You’re not doing what You say You will do.” By the literal and powerful grace of God I passed by that opportunity. God had something better to give me too. He had more of Himself to reveal and share with me.
Don’t we have this opportunity every day? We can “pass by” the anger, the offense, the frustration and irritation. We can “pass by” the desire to quit praying because we’d rather give up than keep believing. We can “pass by” the words of disguised gossip that form on our lips or the negative thoughts that stand poised and ready to pounce on our minds. And isn’t God saying to us each time: “I have something better I will give you”?
Today, I am thankful for the innumerable “something better” that have followed in the past 365 days. Yet I’m also mindful of the choices this day presented. The choice to seize upon or pass by the thoughts and emotions headed to disappointment, impatience and frustration. I’m thankful I can choose to pass them by. I’m thankful to know from experience that God always has something better to give.
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