Always Learning

The digital dash read 8:56 as I whipped in the lot. I had already called ahead, expecting full well to be late. All glory to God, I was 4 minutes early.

Earlier, the house was abuzz with the typical frantic energy of the first day of school. Everyone out the door, I followed. I was 10 minutes ahead of schedule so that I could make a pit stop on my way to work. After completing my errand I realized I had to turn around and head back home. “I can still make it,” I breathed.

I found it odd that the bus stop was void of students and reasoned the bus must have come early. Then I noticed a teen racing to catch a bus long gone. “Poor kid! Not quite fair to pick-up early on the first day,” my mind grumbled. I was certainly thankful that my son chose to head down earlier than needed. If he hadn’t, he’d be the unfortunate one making a mad dash.

I turned my mind back to the task at hand, planning a quick entry and exit.

No sooner did I hit the top of the landing, there was a knock on my door. I opened it to a precious, albeit downcast, face. “Can you give me a ride to school?”

“I’m sorry, sweetie. I already left for work once and had to come back so now I’m running late. School is nowhere near my work. I would have to go in the opposite direction to give you a ride.” She turned to slump down the stairs. My heart could hardly bear it.

“Wait! Come in. Let me call my boss and tell him I’ll be late and I’ll get you to school.”

I had nearly blown it. For a moment I had misaligned priorities by making my job more important than her wounded, fragile spirit. It would have been understood if I didn’t allow her problem to inconvenience me. I could have justified that she should suffer the consequence of missing the bus and learn a valuable life-lesson. I could have hardened my heart and said; “Tough, kid. Work it out yourself!” I owe thanks to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.

On our commute I made an attempt to encourage her and redeem her day. “God has made a way for you. He worked things out by providing a ride. You can start this day over and have a fresh start from this moment. It’s all good.” I explained how fortunate I was to have a Christian boss that was compassionate and merciful, that he would understand. I could see her stress melt, her mood lift. “It’s the first day of a great year!”

I was blessed to speak God’s glorious name to tender ears and to see the face of a child of His turn from sorrow to joy.

The car pool line was empty. The lanes were clear of traffic. I missed every light and sailed straight through in record time, feeling God’s pleasure in my change of heart.

I surprised my boss that I made it...with time to spare. Why, I even surprised myself today. I could have been the one to "miss the bus." I could have slammed that door shut and went on my way. But God is training me to be a student at the Master's feet. He's teaching me to look and listen. To look through His lens and to listen with His heart. A valuable lesson learned in God's classroom of grace.



Thank You, God, that I was the one that learned something this first day of school. Thank You for providing for Your child and giving me the opportunity to be a blessing and receive a blessing.