Have you ever had moments in your life that when you look back to, you end up saying "Had that not happened, I would have been elsewhere.."?
Of course, I am banking on the good outcome. Because that statement can also apply for a good thing turning bad. But as always, I, for one, hold on to, if it is not "good" then it is probably not yet the end.
Another but, as in one pastor friend's preaching he says, Good or bad? I don't know but praise the name of Jesus, still.
I have always been amused at how my foiled plans led to different directions - totally different from my original plan but unmistakably, without a doubt grander. So I have learned to take things as they come and so far by God's grace, they are amusingly and surprisingly awesome.
Let me see. ..
Early 2017, my youngest brother asked if he can borrow my camera for their August trip to Japan. I responded to him with, "I would need to check on my calendar because I and my friends may have a travel around that time, too." We were set to go to Balabac, Palawan that time with the extended group targeting August or September. I then asked him about how they got their trip and they got it from a travel fair. He opened the idea as well that I can join them if I want to. The idea was not bad. Secretly, I was making my own calculations of whether I can. But scratched off the idea as I am not ready for any spending at the time because our company was struggling then, too. Or that, rumor has it. So I can only go local, sit tight and wait for how 2017 will play out with me and our company.
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Lord, surprise me has always been my prayer since I learned that in every circumstance that I am finding myself unsure and worrisome, He comes around with something huge and definitely something better. I only need to do my part - sit still, buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Had this Not Happened
Then it came. Second quarter of 2017, a huge chunk of our department got loaned to another department needing help - me included.
Was there an option to turn it down? Yes, but that would be boring. I was thinking if the boat is sinking, I might as well explore the whole ship. At least I will not have that feeling of not letting myself try if it sinks anyway.
It was something that I welcomed wholeheartedly. Being in the same department for my whole stay in the same company kind of made me long for "where else can I grow"?
Besides, assignments with travel opportunities have been less and less.
I could say that the move was an answered prayer - plus more.
It was a deviation from my original career path. But that ONE DEVIATION that I chuckle to myself every time I think about it.
Some months after the move, I got called to the manager's office. I was wondering if I did something bad on my first new assignment but I know I did not. Entering the small office, there was actually no tension whatsoever.
"Would you like to learn a new language?" was the question the manager asked me.
"Oh, very much would want to." was my eager answer. But I have no idea if she was referring to a programming language or another country's language. My sense for adventure was at its peak then anyway and anything tied up with "learning" is a go for me.
This Would Not Have Happened
That was one conversation that most likely had me ending up with this in my gallery mid July of 2017.
Funny thing is, I have never mastered the language even up to now. Learned a few, for getting essential things like getting one order of a gyudon with runny eggs. Hehe. And of course, kohi - coffee.
Who Would Have Known?
Yep. Turned out, Japan was in God's list for me last 2017. When I got the final plan, I and my brother was like, "Oh, would you believe that?" My stay would cover even their trip. It meant, though, that he cannot borrow my camera, but I am there to take their pictures anyway during the Tokyo leg of their tour.
On some week nights that they were there, I was able to join them for dinners after work.
'Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” ' James 4:15 https://my.bible.com/bible/100/JAS.4.15
I've always took this verse with me and it has been a comfort and source of joy - travel and not.
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Wow amazing. God is always good indeed. Maybe I need to try what you're doing so He can surprise me too. Hehe.