I recently started a new position that in many ways felt very right to me.   It was with people that I quickly learned to respect, with people that made me feel very welcome and needed.  It was also with an organization that I had been affiliated with for over 30 years.  However, the actual work that I would be doing, didn’t seem to be as strategic, nor complex or challenging as my previous career and to be honest, the pay reflected as much.

I did however, make  myself a deep seated commitment, that if such an opportunity was presented to me, I would walk through this door (that I firmly believe God had opened for me) with excitement and give it my all.   Over the past few weeks, I have on several occasions, caught myself thinking, “is this really what I’m now meant to do?”   Yesterday, that question seemed to linger with me but was vividly answered when I spent some time with a new co-worker, getting to know her and her role in the organization.

This lady is fascinating in many ways.  She is from another country, that couldn’t be more different than the US.  She chose to move here to expand her horizons and be part of the many opportunities this country has to offer, including getting an American education and working in high-profile American companies, and for a while, even our government.  Each one taught her a great deal.   All that she has been given from her adopted homeland, has not come without sacrifice.

After an hour long meeting with her, I felt blessed to have been given a glimpse into her world and felt our professional relationship would be mutually beneficial.  As I was leaving her office, I asked her about something she had on her bookshelf and to my surprise, the explanation of that item led her to sharing with me a very personal, and painful story.

This individual is from a loving, caring family.  She loved and respected her parents (especially her father) who both passed away several years ago.  Among her siblings is a little brother that she described being very close to.   Partly because of the culture of her original homeland, and partly because she was so far away here in the US, her family didn’t share with her that her brother was ill.   When she found out, she spoke to him often and went to see him more frequently.   She still felt a sense of disconnect, and helplessness being so far away.   There are other aspects to the story where she sought out a world-renown physician and friend to try and help her brother and other acts of love and assistance to help her brother’s situation.

With sincere compassion and reverence she shared with me, that this past Spring, after several weeks of trying to reach her brother by phone, she went back home to see him.  Only when she arrived, did she learn that her brother had died several weeks before and no, her siblings had not told her.   The devastation in her tear-filled eyes was still very raw.   The sadness was palpable.   My heart broke for her pain.

Even though this was someone that I had just gotten to know, and even though her heritage is one of privacy and quietness, she was very forthright with me about her regret.  Remorse for not figuring out how to know what was going on with her brother and regret for not being with him when he died.   Yet, without hesitation, this lovely lady told me, that as a Christian (from a mostly Buddhist upbringing) she was had unwavering belief that she would see her family again in heaven.

As I left her office, I reflected back on my question, about just why I was there.   I stopped… looked up and said, ok, I get it.  See, I was measuring my worth in that organization by the tasks that I was doing and the money that I was making.   And so very pointedly and ever so vividly, God brought this lady and I together, to remind me there is always a much bigger picture to His plan.   My job is to just be still and know.   I sensed that her need to share this story with me, not only brought us closer, but let her know I cared much deeper and wider than however our professional lives would intertwine.

I can’t help but think how much any of us are taking for granted this summer, this month, this week and today.   Many little things for certain.   A lot of the time what we mostly take for granted are the people in our lives who are the most important to us.    Oh, they will be back tonight for dinner.   They will be here this weekend to enjoy our time together.   But as we know and most of us have even been painfully reminded, there are no guarantees of that.

So, this morning, I woke up thanking God for two very important reminders that came from yesterday.   A day that could have just been “another day”.  First, don’t limit God’s plan for your life by our human-limited thinking and definitions, and two, try so very hard not to take any of this life and the people in it for granted.    Be open to experiencing the touch of the Master’s hand in an ordinary day, and allow His guidance, wisdom and presence, to design an extraordinary day to.

https://youtu.be/TAONwC1CWhE

Today’s song branches out from the type of music I typically share.   This song is called “Hold on Tight” by Greg Holden.   The lyrics are simple, yet perfect for this message.  The music is catchy (and if it gets stuck in your mind, that might be a good thing).   But if you’ll take a few minutes to watch the music video, the story it tells is quite powerful!    It will touch your heart and challenge you as well.

As always, if you have similar stories to tell, please share them with others in the comments section.  Hugs for a day of God-filled possibilities!