Perspective for Purpose

• • Perspective for Purpose

“There is no where you can be without being where you are meant to be”

Have you ever had one of those days where you have to change your plans? Not only did you have to change your plans but you are NOT happy that you had to….. this happens to me all the time! And I have been told a time are two that I am not good at not getting my way….. so I guess it’s probably true.

What we forget is that there is a reason that our plans didn’t through.

Recently, I was reminded of why plans are changed. I have been working the store alone for the past few weeks so my mom can make sure that the remodel on her house is going exactly as she wants it. So needless to say that when 5 o’clock comes around, I’m ready to run. On top of working at Fox Sports night side, and adding several other gigs to my list of things to do, the store opened “after hours” hasn’t been my idea of fun. This particular Thursday was right after working till 1am on an East coast game shift, but 4:30pm rolled in and a group of women told me it was “ladies night”. I did NOT want to stay open, but we normally make good money on those nights so I canceled my plans of going to see a movie (alone, yes I enjoy it), and stayed open. Plus I knew my mom would eat me alive if I closed while there was a chance to make money during the slow months. I wasn’t happy though. Actually I was a little annoyed because no one was shopping. I maybe had 3 people in an hour come in, but I was going to wait it out, mostly to say I did it. Finally, I had a lady walk in. She wasn’t there to shop… she was in my store to drop off the new brochures of the Weatherford Square. I honestly have no interest in the brochures and could care less that they were there. So I tuned her out as she was giving me the run down. All of the sudden the lady begins to cry. One of the store owners had been rude to her and she had lost her husband recently making the 2017 Valentines Day her first alone. Which in her strength getting through her pain she had a moment of weakness in my store. My first instinct was to hug the stranger, so I was got up and started tried my best to console her. Never being married I couldn’t imagine what that is like to lose my spouse, but I did know she needed someone to be there for her in that moment. When she finally was able to regroup, I got her some tissues, and something from my purse. I carry pocket prayers around with me for reminders. Something told me to grab my prayer that says “Proverbs 3:5-6” “Trust in the Lord“. And the scripture Revelation 21:4 came to my mind “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

She said to me “I know why this happened here” hugged me and walked out.

That made me feel bad that I was so frustrated that I had to work late that night, because there was a reason I was supposed to keep my store open. It was to be a shoulder to cry on for a stranger. Not only that but I was reminded that God puts you where you need to be always to receive his blessings, but also for him to use you to give his message to others. Romans 8:28 “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

It’s changing your perspective to know your purpose.

If we constantly take an attitude of irritation when we don’t get our way or when plans change we will forget to see that God puts us where we need to be, to give or receive his blessings. Dr. Ruth says “When things don’t go like you planned, it is because they aren’t meant to. God Is protecting you from something that you weren’t meant to have in your path.”

Question: Have your plans changed? How did you feel when they did? What happened when they did? What was your attitude? Was there something God protected you from or lead you too?

If I would have closed the store early like I wanted to, I would have never been there to console a woman who needed to talk let go of the sadness she had been holding onto. I would have never been able to give her the words God wanted her to hear! She wouldn’t have reminded me that God places us exactly where we need to be regardless of our plans. He uses us to help others as well as ourselves. God uses us in love to show people hope when they need it. He changed my plans not for me….. but for another person. When you think about life this way… How could you possible be upset about plans changing?

Something small became meaningful not only to me but to her, We need to change our perspective to know our purpose.

My prayer for you: “Dear Lord, I pray that we take a step back to understand why you put people and things in our paths. To be reminded that it isn’t just us you are working in, you will use us when needed. That a perfect stranger can be just what someone needs to show or be reminded of your love. To know that our plans change for a reason whether it be that you are protecting us or helping us. That even the little things that we might get frustrated about like not getting to go see the movie we wanted, or being ditched on a date is for a reason. Not looking at them from a perspective of frustration but one of gratefulness because there is a reason it didn’t happen whatever it maybe. Thank you for the opportunities you give us to give your message and the blessings we have of receiving them. In your name I pray, Amen”

Will I probably still get frustrated when a date cancels on me as I’m sitting in my car about to walk in, yes! But I’ll also be reminded that God didn’t let it happen for some reason. He didn’t put me in an environment where I could have been put in a bad situation. Maybe I’ll run into a homeless man that needs someone to talk to, I could be blessed by meeting my husband in the restaurant instead of being on a date, I just go home, or I get to eat by myself and enjoy time to think. Whatever the reason maybe I’ll look at it knowing that my perspective dictates my mood. And there is a reason that my plans changed, God probably did it for the better.