Life can catch us unawares and that’s how it was that day. The day was a normal day in all respects. I’d completed my quiet time, spent an hour on social media, which means posting and connecting on my Twitter and FaceBook author/writing pages to create presence, connections, and a platform. My mind was full with my plans for the day.

My Concern

I’d had a big concern for someone I can’t give you the particulars about. That morning I was extra burdened and discouraged. I was worried and fearful that the person’s choices were leading to greater heartache and could become self-destructive and dangerous (not illegal). I am a trusted person in this individual’s life. I truly didn’t know what to do and was weary with its taxing burden.

Let me explain. The ‘taxing burden’ stemmed from a belief that says you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped and that a person won’t change until they want to change and wants to change bad enough to do the hard work it takes to change. I wasn’t seeing this ‘want to change’ in her. All I saw was blaming and excusing.

I had lost sight of the truth of my mission in life, to see every person in my path as someone to love. Sometimes we get weary in well-doing. We wonder what’s the point.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. –Galatians 6:9 KJV

Missed Opportunities

While thinking about all this, the Lord spoke in my spirit. “You’ve missed opportunities with ‘this person.'” The message was saying to me, you are missing opportunities to be salt and light to this woman and her children. It startled me. I wasn’t expecting that. I’d sort of been frustrated with the situation, not knowing how to reach her in a meaningful way. I’d allowed myself to ‘fail’ at being who I needed to be to this daughter of the King.

Thinking it Through

The rest of the day I couldn’t get it out of my head. As always, to see the thing with an objective lens, I looked at my back trail, what I had done and what I had not done, and where I had missed opportunities. Suddenly I understood how I could minister to her differently, where I could step in and not miss opportunities, and why I should put effort into her life and her family’s life.

What to Do

Most of all, I knew God was in it. He had prompted me. He had shown me my lack so I might be refreshed and revitalized in helping her. That day I set about making a list of ways I could bless this woman and her family, without any expectation of getting something in return. I committed myself (that always helps) to doing certain activities that would show her she is loved, special, and valued. I would trust God for the rest, for Him to do what only He can do.

How It is Going

The first thing I did was make a home cooked meal for her and the family and took it to them. It was appreciated. When Covid-19 entered the picture, I couldn’t do the things I had planned, other than phone conversations. But the thing is, I now know I don’t want to miss any more opportunities. Hence, I’m focused rather than frustrated.

Two Other Regrets

I missed two other opportunities this past year, where I thought of reaching out but didn’t. One was with a childhood friend I had finally located on FaceBook. A couple months later her husband posted that she had passed away. O my heart. How sad I felt. I’d never sent her a private message or said anything personal to her, which I regretted immediately.

The other is with a younger person, a relative, who worked near where I live. She is now moving out of the area. My heart sank when I read her announcement a couple of days ago. She has been on my mind a lot. I’d been thinking I should invite her for lunch or take lunch to her. Basically, that I should connect with her and develop a closer relationship. But I didn’t do it though I hoped to soon. Actually, I was planning to when Covid-19 interrupted life.

No Regrets

I say all this to share with you that we should act on the promptings, not ignore or put off doing the things our mind tells us we ought to be doing. Otherwise, we may miss important opportunities to reach out to others in our path who may need the acknowledgement and care.

Sooner than Later

Time is short. We never know when the opportunity will pass and the regrets will come. Write that email. Call them. Send a card. Meet for lunch. Get together (once we can). Just do it.

Photo by NordWood Themes, Unsplash