Monday, October 11, 2010

The Things We Do Not Know About

As a child, my prayer was simple – God thank you for the things you have done for me (which I know about), the things you will do for me, and the things have done for me which I did not know about. The 3rd part was always key because I was once called “accident-prone” i.e. something major that would involve me being rushed to the hospital was bound to happen each year. Well this was until I prayed about this. Imagine the joy knowing I would not have to face the nurses and their needles.

Speaking of “things He has done which I did not know about”, let me share with you a recent incident.

It was one of those busy days and I had to close late from work (8pm). Since I live on the Lekki-Epe axis of Lagos where “heavy” construction is going on, I knew I was bound to be stuck in traffic. A driver from the office was asked to take me home. I told the office driver that all I needed to be taken to a point where I could meet Mr. Rita, with whom I would continue my journey home.

We got to a place where the road was blocked. After waiting 30mins at one spot, the driver, being very adventurous decided to take a shortcut. This shortcut is also called “beach road” because of the beach sands or “jeep road” because 4WD’s are successful in passing through this road. Now the car I was in was a Toyota corolla and in no way a 4WD. I have seen in broad day light cars of this type get stuck in the beach sand. I had no plans of being stuck in there by 9pm. I explained to the driver that it was not advisable to use this car through that road that night. The route was not recommended by our company. If his car got stuck there, he could get a query. So many ifs ran through my head the more I realized it was late at night. I trust in God but did not want to test Him that night. Let’s not forget that deep down I wanted to join Mr. Rita somewhere on the main road. The shortcut would not give me that luxury. Driver and I argued for 10 mins. In the end, he agreed to use the main road.

I got home by 11pm that night somehow wishing I had let the driver go through the shortcut. But the next day (in daylight) when we had to pass through that beach road, I found out that a very deep ditch had been dug in the path we could have passed. If we had passed through that road, the car would have fallen in there, and it would have taken time and money to bring it out. Not to think of the exposure - being in the middle of nowhere by 10pm or whenever.

There are so many disappointments I have faced which later on I have found out were blessings. Can you think of any disappointment in your life that ended up being a blessing? A delay, a heartbreak, a loss, or something that seems wrong at the moment could actually be God’s loving hand preventing us from something worse.

Rather than complaining, cursing or being angry with God, I am learning to thank Him for those things He has protected me from, especially those ones I did not know about.
I pray that He opens our eyes to see the blessings in our “disappointments”. In every situation we find ourselves, we should give thanks to God, not because of our perception of the situation, but because it could have been worse – and indeed He deserves our praise and thanksgiving.

Have a great week ahead.

22 comments:

blackgold said...

Once again i will say thank you,any time i log on to read your blog,there is always a right word for the season.what touched me most was the use of the word 'Our Perception'.I might not know or understand things going around in my life,but i will thank Him for the things i do not know about,the things He is working out through the situation i do not understand.

Anonymous said...

Because He knows the end from the beginning He takes us through untested waters so we can trust and solely rely on Him.

That's why those dis-appointments are surely a blessing.

Thanks for an inspiring start to the week. Hope you have a good one too.

Anonymous said...

I was so disappointed when I didn't get my dream job at the bank.That was a blessing, because in my present job, I met God. God is a master planner and He always has the best plans for us even when things don't seem to go the way we want them too.

Unknown said...

Just had an experience and also with your help to know that in every situation, I should give God the praise.. We really have to.. How you love?

Anonymous said...

Just as the sky is higher from the earth, so are the ways & thoughts of GOD higher than us....HE knows best in every situation.... if only we mortals let HIM to direct us..than following our own perception. Right now,no particular story comes to mind but i have had my fair share of disappointments in life....am too grateful to GOD to be ALIVE, HEALTHY & highly FAVOURED by HIM. shalom.

Unknown said...

Absolutely right, Rita.

I so can relate. In my relationship most especially, somethings happened to me in the past that I never knew the purpose until recently in hindsight, I discovered, God was the orchestrator and he had a plan all through that I knew nothing about. He is awesome!

- LDP

Myne said...

This is great to read at this time for me. Sometimes it is hard to remember to trust and be thankful..

Nutty J. said...

Great read

I always thank God for the 'unseen' and the 'seen' battles he fights and wins for me

jhazmyn said...

Ahh, there's been quite a lot o...situations where i'd think of the past and begin to laugh cos i see how God was making my lines fall in pleasant places at the moments i thought He wasn't there for me...Its just awesome

Straight from the heart said...

God's word said it all, we know all things work together for good. All we have to do is to envision the good in whatever we are going through. Great piece

David C Brown said...

I was reminder of Cowper's poem:

God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

William Cowper (1731–1800)

Kafo said...

I'm reminded of these lyrics

"All of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by His glory"

this is soo true

Blessing said...

I can relate for sure!

All things work together for our good!

Patrinas Pencil said...

He shows me over and over that His way is Higher - just as Nitty gritty said. I am beginning to trust this. When I have a gut feeling or instinct about something - I ask the Holy Spirit if He's trying to tell me something. he usually tells me - or send me a sign - or drops me a line :) I can't live without consulting him. There are too many sink holes out there to try and take another path. I am blessed that he s concerned about everything that concerns me.

I'm so thankful that the Lord is protecting you and that you are aware of his protection and blessing.

Hugs,
princess warrior <")>><

Rainyjoy said...

most times i find myself in difficult situations, i realize is hard to be thankful. The enemy tries to steal my joy away so i wouldn't praise God but i thank God for His grace as am maturing in my faith walk with God; i am learning to trust God that every dissapointment is all working out for my good and i must make a continuous and constant decision to choose to thank God because He knows all and He is still in control.

thanks dear for sharing and i really did enjoy talking to you.

remain blessed
xoxo

bArOquE said...

one of the things that scares me the most, getting MY car stuck because of bad road, mud or sand...i think i'd rather loose a side mirror

God sure works in myserious ways...dont tempt him

Rita said...

@blackgold: -That is your faith at work re:”I might not know or understand things going around in my life,but i will thank Him for the things i do not know about,the things He is working out through the situation i do not understand” and it will produce for you a great harvest.

@Maid of Heart: - your words are so encouraging. Thanks, I am having a good week so far…

@beautyandthings:- this is a very interesting testimony…would love to hear more about it :-)

@2cute4u:- my dear I am fine…any time I think of your experience, my faith is increased and I love God more…

@The nitty-gritty tales of a housewife: -your words made me enter a worship mode…whatever you are grateful to God about, I join you in praise and thanksgiving…

@ LE DYNAMIQUE PROFESSEUR: - Prof, if I contact you to hear the full gist of this story, please don’t blame me…awesome…

@Myne Whitman: - Thank God…

@Nutty J.: - I so love the choice of words “the 'unseen' and the 'seen' battles he fights and wins for me” thank you and thank God.

Rita said...

@ jhazmyn: - I can imagine God laughing at us sometimes, when we are brooding over a situation yet not knowing He is working everything for our good. He is indeed awesome… I laugh sometimes too when I look back…

@ Debbie: -Word, Debbie…thanks for sharing this “word”

@ David C Brown: - I really enjoy it when you share the poems that relate to something written…very inspiring and encouraging. Thank you so much.

@Kafo: - awwww!!!! These lyrics are lovely…

@ Blessing: - Blessing, you have no other choice than relate…everything that happens to you is a “blessing”…

@ Patrina's Pencil :- when I think of your butterfly, I nod my head as I read your words. I really like the connotations and denotations to “there are too many sink holes out there to try and take another path... “
Plenty Hugs…

@Rainyjoy: - my dear, it is very hard to be thankful in difficult situations *sigh* but I thank God for your maturity…
You’re welcome *wink*

@bArOquE: - you left me ROTFL…wise man you are…

LG said...

in all gives thanks...




*Riri, e don tey o, howz d fam?

Olufunke said...

The things we do not know about.
Thank God for He goes before us and makes the crooked path staright 'before' us.

CHeers

Anoda Phase said...

your post is so on point...I'm grateful for His protection that I'm not even aware of...and I say Amen to your prayer.

Patrinas Pencil said...

Just wanted to let you know that the 'post comment' is not available on your new post.. I read but can't comment :( I'll check back later...if I remember

patrina <")>><