Why Not This Time?

Good Morning Dear Friends,

It's another week when I haven't been able to write as early as I wanted to. This weekend has been...hmm, something else.

I don't know about you but it seems a high percentage of my close friends have been losing a parent in the last 4 weeks. Last Friday I had two burial programs to attend - for the mother and father of two separate friends. I eventually ended up attending only 1. I couldn't get to the second because my phone got stolen.

For some, a stolen phone is probably not big deal. For me, it seemed like the world had just crashed. This was the first time in my entire existence my phone would be stolen. If you've followed this blog for some time you've probably guessed that technology is a major part of the tools I need to function. Between my iPad, my phone and a good internet connection, I can survive on any island. For the first hour, I couldn't fathom where I was going to start from.

I had a lot of plans for the Saturday which involved my phone to a very large extent. In  addition, I was billed to go outside Lagos to spend time with another friend who lost her father. I don't often question God, but this time, I confess that I did. My question was - why didn't you have mercy on me this time? Why not this time? I asked that question because I have no doubt, just as Amy Grant says in her song "Angels Watching Over Me" (video  http://youtu.be/KNIO9KH3UC8 ) that God has delivered me from many dangers that I am not even aware of.

I am certain that many days I have walked past a location that turned dangerous almost immediately I went through. Things that could have been stolen were preserved by His Mercy. Funny enough, just 5 minutes before the phone disappeared, I had looked at it and got a word in my Spirit to keep the phone more securely. I got distracted and didn't obey immediately and in the next 5 minutes, it was picked from my bag.

So, I was warned but why, oh why, didn't mercy rejoice against judgement this time? Why didn't He have mercy one more time and preserve my phone? With all the busy schedule I had, I would have appreciated not having to spend money on a new phone and time recovering my information. To know how deep it cut, I'll confess to you I shed a few tears.

But! Thank God for His Word. Wasn't it just last week I was saying it's the Word that's stored inside that produces in the time of trouble? That's what happened this time. Within an hour, after the upset and questions were done, I remembered He said to give thanks in ALL things, not for them but in spite of them. So, I chose to give Him thanks. Thanks that it wasn't my entire bag, with my 3 last passports, all my cards, credit and debit? Thanks that somehow it would work out. Thanks for all the many times in the past He's kept me.

We talked about lessons last week? Yes, lesson learnt - obey immediately i get an urging in my Spirit. Be more careful. I got a new phone, apps are installed, updates are going on, contacts are restored. Life is back on track...but not quite. The father of a very good friend changed addresses just Saturday night. Again? Yes, life happens. 

It's a new week today, friends. The past is done, today is a present, tomorrow will be here before we know it. Let's make the best of today because it's the only thing we are guaranteed. Give thanks in all things, for even when we don't see why we can be assured He's  still faithful. Trust in Him, no matter what. If we do not have this hope, my friends, we are of all men most miserable.

Enjoy the coming week. Remember to tell your loved ones you love them. Spend your time doing what matters.

Blessings on you and yours. We'll catch up again next week.

Your friend,

Olubunmi