Perturbed, then Blessed

All week long I looked forward to Saturday night.  Date Night!  It had been a while since we had been on a date so we were both excited about getting together sans little people.  It almost didn't matter that we were planning to attend a couple's wedding shower.  Who really cares?  We were together, not at McDonald's, and not constantly interrupted with pleas for help, assistance, and tattle tale woes.

Our 15 year old niece arrived on time to sit with the kids.  She is amazing at being able to handle the 4 kids.  She plays all the pretend games and not-so-fun board games that I never get around to.  She entertains them with art projects and Twister.  She puts them to bed on time, prays them to sleep, and does the dishes.  She is a rare find!

Because my niece lives 20 minutes away, my younger sister and I typically meet half way after she babysits.  Unfortunately, that was not the case on Saturday night.  My sister's plans did not involve leaving her own birthday party for me to hand off her daughter.  I know, I know.  It was sort of selfish for me to even ask but Melissa is a long way at 11:00 p.m.!

To be honest, I was perturbed at the whole situation.  I was doing my niece a favor by paying her extra to be saved for an upcoming mission trip.  Forget that she was doing me a favor by making a home cooked meal and starting the laundry.  This frustrating situation was all about me.  And my date night.  And who wants to drive around in the rainy cold an hour before midnight?

Wah!

So, I stomp (a little) to the car with my niece and her friend in tow.  I throw a silent tantrum and don't say much for the first 5 minutes of the drive.  The girls are chatting back and forth about their church activities and all the things they are involved in.  They tell me all the things they are learning about Jesus' expectations for their lives.  About His desire for each of them.  About their new and growing relationships with Him.

The Holy Spirit slapped me on the forehead (once again).  THIS is why I am driving them home.  THIS is why my sister couldn't leave the adult establishment to meet me.  THIS is why these sweet, impressionable, hungry girls are in my car.

Driving slowly, I got to spend the next 20 minutes talking with them about what living a life for Christ means.  How their behavior and attitudes are testimonies for the love Jesus has for each of us.  The Holy Spirit took over my mouth and really poured into them.  We discussed how people will see a new creation in them through their choices and decisions.  And even their non-church going parents will see Jesus through them.  They are Him in the flesh!

These chatty teenagers were speechless.  My niece was so surprised.  She never knew what an impact she could be by living righteously through and in Him. 

She said, "I feel powerful!".

"Girl!  You are powerful!  We all are when we live through His power and not our own.  Now use your powers for good!", I told her.

I almost missed this.  I was so wrapped up in my own frustration of my plan interrupted.  I was perturbed and frankly, a little angry at my younger sister for not going along with what I had in mind.

Fortunately, God had other plans.  He had a plan for those girls to be reassured and encouraged.  He had a plan for me to get out of the way, to stop reacting, and to be available.  He had a plan for love to be expressed.

I was so blessed to be forced to be available.  I am praying that next time I will recognize His opportunities sooner rather than later.  I am asking God to help me see how and when and who.

Has something like this happened to you?  Have you ever had a plan only to have it derailed because God wanted you available for something, someone else?  Share it with us!  We want to hear how God is working in and through you.

Have an "available" day!
Niki