I hate delays. With my rigid and well-planned hectic schedule, I ought to have much patience to deal with them. But recently, I've learned to accept delays as part of God's greater plan.
Here's how delays changed my life:
1. I had to delay my enrollment for the business school for another term due to schedule conflicts. The program coordinator offered me two options: either I fix my work schedule so I can come to school in the evening or take a new program offering a weekend class. Should I go with the first option, I only had two days to negotiate with my boss my workshift (omg, that is not possible!). So I chose option 2. I had to condition myself to like and embrace whole-heatedly the new program offered to me. But I can't be admitted this term because I only have two days to process my application that normally takes two months. Hence I decided to delay my enrollment until the next semester. It took a great deal of effort to understand the situation, and much faith to hold on to believing that God's hands is working behind all those delays. Patience and my total surrender helped me accept that something better is up for me.
Now I am so much grateful for that delay, as it paved the way for me to help a friend in need, and as a bonus, introduced me to a wide array of business opportunities. Through the event I spearheaded, I met several hardworking people who share the same passion as mine, and eventually became my business partners. Wow! Truly, the Lord rewards us more than what we expect when we entrust our endeavours to His mighty hands.
2. Our holiday trip to Ilocos was postponed because of a bad weather. I felt so devastated when the trip that took us months to prepare had to be rescheduled the last minute because of a typhoon. So we moved our trip to a date that coincides an event that I don't want to attend. Isn't that fantastic? I am now saved from creating alibis.
3. I have been applying for the current post I am holding since 2007 and in fact, I have been rejected twice. And early this year, without me applying for the post, I was offered by my manager the same job, but this time with a higher rate and rank than what I was applying for four years ago. See how God works through delays as He prepares you for the best.
From these recent experiences I learned to embrace delays as part of life, sometimes inevitable though really annoying. When things go not according to our plans, our faith and optimism can save us from getting frustrated about life. In short, allowing changes with an open heart and mind, being optimistic and letting the hand of God take over are the keys to a life free from unnecessary worries.
May God bless you through delays. :)