Wednesday, April 1, 2009

I Missed The Bus



Sometimes when we do not have some things, nay, people, opportunities, or when what seemed like it was perfect walks away from us, we feel disappointed. It is human. But if we wait just a little while, we will see that something better is on the way. HE is never too late.


When I am away from my location, I usually get very nice treatment.

On this beautiful morning, I prepared to go to the passport office in Lagos. I asked my office for a driver by 7a.m. Based on past experience, I was assured that driver will be there on time. I was busy taking my time with make-up when I heard the sound of our company’s mini-bus drive in. I looked at my watch. 7a.m. on the dot. I rushed down to ask the driver to give me 5 more minutes to finish make-up and get dressed, but when I got down, he was no where to be seen. I relaxed and continued with make-up.

4 minutes later, I heard the bus driving off. Gosh! I clutched tightly my unbuttoned blouse and almost twisted my ankle as I sped down the stairs with my high heel shoes. My intention was to stop the driver at least at the gate. By the time I reached the gate, I could see the driver zooming off. No matter how loud I shouted, the driver could not hear me – thanks to AC’ed buses. I felt disappointed.

Sometimes we struggle to keep "it" from going away, using the most of what we have.

There was a gateman who saw me running, shouting and beckoning yet did not help me stop the driver. To add salt and pepper to my disappointment, the gateman calmly said, “5 after 7, the guy is gone. He does not wait for anyone. This bus is not for you...”
“What!” I exclaimed in annoyance.
“It was not meant for you”.

I slowly started walking back to my room, swallowing a sigh and blaming myself.

Sometimes, when "it" goes away, we wallow in regret.

I tried to look at the brighter side to it. I had more time to continue dressing up:-). I was about calling the office to tell them what had happened when a sleek Honda Accord 2008 Model, silvery-grey in color, pulled up beside me.

“Are you Rita?” The driver asked.
I nodded.
“I am here to take you to the passport office. Sorry I am late. Please let me know if you need more time to make up before you leave…’
Unbelievable! I thought.

This story may seem insignificant to you, but I tell you, something happened to me that day. It clearly dawned on me that when something goes away, there is something better waiting out there for us. It is left for us to open our hearts and eyes for yet another opportunity. My heart suddenly understood that God can do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we ask or think [1]. And then, during my journey to the passport office, I had time to reflect on many situations where disappointments turned out to be blessings.

I don’t know what "it" might be to you or whether you’ve ever heard the words “it wasn’t meant for you” in one phrase or the other. The words could have been as consolations from a heart break, the loss of an unborn child, a partner you once thought was perfect, a job you thought was the job of your dreams, an opportunity that came so close you thought it was “it”, or your hopes shattered once again. All I am saying to you is if you could just trust Him once more, give Him a little benefit of doubt, believe that He turns disappointments into blessing and realize that He wants the best only for you, in a little while, you will see that blessing right in front of you – a blessing beyond your expectations.

And if you have experienced a disappointment eventually becoming a blessing, please share.

Enjoy a blessed rest of the week.

Bible References
[1] Ephesians 3:20

43 comments:

Roc said...

No story is truly insignificant..
There's always a good side to every situation.. It's just about seeing th bigger picture..
Thanks Rita..

Joy Akut said...

as usually inspiring. i'm wowed at how u effortlessly use this simple stories to describe Gods ways.

i've had lots of disappointments that've been one in a millon blessing to me.
i've learnt to look up to God in those moments cos i know the plans he has for me is to prosper me....so if one fails, i know something better is coming.

36 INCHES OF BROWN LEGS said...

wao!! what a story, and very true too.

~Sirius~ said...

Did that really happen...the bus, car story?.....Really funny.
I've been in that situation before, but slightly different. My car had packed up, all free rides were no where to be found, oddly my family friend just happened to be going my way- he dropped off and his driver took me to work in the sexy 2008 Passat.........Nice.

I live by everything happens for a reason, so I identify with this. Sometimes things come and go in our lives, and they are only there to do certain things, when those things have been accomplished we are then ready for the next stage.

So in actual fact we don't miss the bus.......it's not just our ride to our destination.

Have a lovely day Rita.....

Chookz said...

Nice one Reeta...
I ain't been here in a while

Blogoratti said...

Great story...even greater words!
Thanks for sharing!

Modupe said...

Very Inspiring...
So very Inspiring...God bless u much..always.

joicee said...

very good analogy
every disappointment meant is indeed a blessing
Thank you

Saved Girl said...

this is awesome, you are a great blogger.

Giagerry said...

rita u don come again o....lol..i love it jare. "It clearly dawned on me that when something goes away, there is something better waiting out there for us". i totally agree nd i can relate it to one of my rlationships that i sooo dint want to let go of, rita the moment i did, ahah u wan try....things began to b fine...as in beautiful!lol....i just remembered nd sed.."ok o dat one is not for me".i missed it nd im glad i dint chase after it!

Kémi Penélopê said...

When I was trying to get my present job, I applied for another job that I thought I qualified for. I never got a call.

I felt disappointed but I have to write that I am graceful to God for the job I have now because God has given me something much better...Thanks Rita for this encouraging post...

***The Spirit of God is one...read this... Word For Today...

Scarlet said...

How true your words are. Sometimes we have to understand that the reason why things dont according to our plan is cua God has something better in store for us.

Nefertiti said...

I have so many stories of dissappointments turning out to be a blessing. My last post is just one of them, and I always thank God for where he's brought me from.

Thanks, Rita. I always get some upliftment from reading your posts. Can you make it everyday? Pweeeeeeeeaaaaaase?!

Jennifer A. said...

Oh wow...I loved this story...lol

Good Naija Girl said...

Lovely, this relates to that saying that when God closes a door, somehow he manages to open a window. It's true that sometimes we're so busy looking at the lost opportunity that we miss the new one right in front of us.

I appreciate the reminder!

Unknown said...

Rita

I love you for this post
and I love the message
Sometimes it's hard for us to let go of things... that thing might be hindering us from greater things to come but we fail to see it.

THis post tells me there is hope after all problems

Rebirth said...

Wow, Rita this is a great post......... u know sometimes when we miss the bus, we give up and miss the honda coming next.... now im not going to give up and quit when it seems to me ive missed an opportunity

Anonymous said...

Nice analogy Rita...every disappointment is indeed a blessing, if we only learn to trust that God's ways are not our ways, and that He means the absolute best for us...thanx for sharing...

Nigerian Drama Queen said...

Loving the new blog look!
Almost didn't recognize your blog for a minute. And love the moving picture (yes im a technology retard...lol).
Meanwhile, so true...God can always turn dissappointments to blessings. All things work together for good...

NaijaScorpio said...

I love this post. Very important message we all need to be aware of. Love the new look.

Anonymous said...

hmmmmm, i feel u. i only hope.

olusimeon said...

wow...this really ministered to me..it's something we sld neva forget..if not we'll just be stressing for nothin..

Constance said...

Hmmm Rita, you really hit the nail on the head. Talking directly to me. More grace!

Caelestis Angelus! said...

Awwww, i needed to read this right about now. Im currently in a situation but im encouraged now. Read my last post, you'l understand. Thank you for this, God bless you

Kafo said...

so true
love the imagery

i really needed the reminded today

Buttercup said...

wow..God sure does His things in the most unusual and unexpected way..

how are you, Rita??

Writefreak said...

My hubby always says there's no dela of a lifetime...if you miss this opportunity, another one will come along!
There's always a message in the seeming 'mess'....

CaramelD said...

Hi Rita! Long time!! How are you?

Anonymous said...

Hey Rita...I've just awarded you...HSA...do the 10 honest things meme...

Smaragd said...

This is really deep.

So many things i've thought were IT but werent. It's been had learning patience this way, but it sure has been worth IT!

thank you for this.

wellsbaba said...

word....but wat really bothers me is av i really missed God's plan4me or my turn is d next

kay-shawn said...

That was a wonderful testimony. If you had got on that bus you would have missed your own ride.

The Activist said...

THIS NEW TEMPLATE GOT ME DISTRACTED BIG TIME!

Rita said...

@RocNaija: - You’re welcome. I guess I would never consider any story as insignificant, not anymore. Thanks.

@Fantasy queen: - You make me feel like I am doing something great :-) thank God for the blessings you’ve had out of disappointments…

@36 INCHES OF BROWN LEGS: - Thank you and glad to have you around…

@~Sirius~: - Sure it happened :-) For me it was unbelievable, like a fairy tale. Oh sweet…a ride in a sexy 2008 Passat…hmmm. I love your words “…we don't miss the bus...it's not just our ride to our destination...” Thank you.

@Dabizniz:- Thanks…hope to see you around more...

@Blogoratti: - You’re welcome and thank you for the motivating words…

@Modupe: - whenever you get round to leave a comment, it has a way of encouraging me deep down. Thank you so much.

@Joicee: - You’re welcome

@Saved Girl; - Wow…I cant help but blush…thank you so much…

@Gee:- Oh wow!!! I am so blessed by your experience. Thank you. Glad you didn’t chase after it…

Zayzee said...

i cant begin to count the disappointments that turned out being blessings for me.

nice write up Rita. using that very simple occurence that happens to people almost always, to illustate the virtue in patience, and waiting on the Lord, trusting His words....

awesome

Rita said...

@Kémi Penélopê: -I should be telling you thank you for sharing this testimony and as for the UCB Word for Today, it is an answer to a prayer. Thank you.

@Scarlet:- You are so on point…Thank you.

@Nefertiti: - thanks be to God. Now how do I say “No” to a pretty lady who said a big please? I tell you, Neffy, I would have loved to write every day but I haven’t successfully been able to manage my time for it. Let me try to maintain a regular blogging pattern then work towards making it everyday. Just because it’s you…Please bear with me :-)

@Jaycee:- thank you…

@Good Naija Girl:-Thanks for the words that “…sometimes we're so busy looking at the lost opportunity that we miss the new one right in front of us...” it's like a missing line for the story…

@Olamild: Indeed there is hope after every problem…thank you so much and I soooo appreciate your love…

@Funms-the rebirth: You’re so right in “…we give up and miss the Honda…”no giving up luv…

@Justdoyin:- God's ways are not our ways…those are very comforting words…

@NigerianDramaQueen: Thank you…how can you call urself technology retard when you know how to use ipod? Lol…I am still struggling with ipod.

@Sting: - Thank you oh…

Rita said...

@Temite: My dear, tell me more about hope…

@Simeone: Thank you and thank God it ministered to you…take care…

@Constance: Thank you love

@Caelestis Angelus!: I would have loved that you put the link to that post here. My God! That is an awesome testimony. Where does one start from to thank God? Thank you for sharing…

@Kafo: Thank you and thank God you found the message relevant…

@Buttercup: - Sweet Buttercup, I am fine. And you? I have to admit, I love the way God gives surprises…

@Writefreak: - Your hubby must have a positive outlook to life…I am so blessed by the assurance that if we miss one opportunity, another one will come along…

@CaramelD: -I am fine. And you…it has really been a long time…

@Justdoyin: - I really hope to come round doing this (I will put a reminder). Gee has also given me the award. Just that I have not recovered from the 2 truths and 1 lie meme…lol…

@Smaragd: You’re welcome. I guess that’s why there is a saying that patience is a virtue…thank God that it has been worth it…

Rita said...

@Wellsbaba: - ur turn is coming…He has a way of getting people back on the track of his plan and purpose for you…if you let Him…

@Kay-shawn: - your words showed me a shocking reality that I overlooked…I could have missed my own ride and gone to a different destination. Thank you.

@StandTall-The Activist: - lol, that was not the plan…

@Uzezi: - thank you…how have you been?

theicequeen said...

on the contraty! the story spoke to me so deeply..long before i read the summary of it,where you related it to situations. Cuz in that story i saw many of my own stories, where the "it" we hang on to is totally a hinderance to His own mindblowing blessings, so every "it" that we let go of is actually opening a door to a much bigger "IT"..one that He has in store for us...

and i just LOVE the way God uses the simplest things to teach us lessons..and the way He spices our lives with all these His delicious blessings sef..:D

Anonymous said...

Theres an old saying that I've heard for many years that goes something like this, "you can miss a bus and it could change your whole life".

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