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by Kay McDanielIt was 1994 when I blew it. I disappointed my friend and missed a precious moment given from God. A window of opportunity had opened and I pulled down the shade!
My close friend, Quanita, and I had been chatting on the phone for years as she lived in Mississippi and I in Tennessee. We had not let the many miles between us interfere with our relationship. Yet, Quanita had cancer and it was making its mark on her body. I could hear it in her voice, her last arduous bout with chemotherapy left her with a deflated spirit. Quanita longed to see an old familiar friend.
While visiting my family in Louisiana during Christmas, Quanita called asking if I could come see her. My ears perked up at the sound of my dear friend’s voice. What a grand idea! I loudly blurted, “Of course!” We confirmed the details and before saying goodbye I affirmed I would see her shortly.
Ten days. One would think in that time period I would have made the time to see my dear friend. Yet, the holidays passed with vigor and each day I had a distinct stir in my spirit reminding me to see Quanita. But I procrastinated.
As my return trip to Tennessee was just hours away I still had not seen Quanita. I wrestled with the map for awhile when finally I rationalized that it would be too hard to fit in a ten hour drive to visit her. Reluctantly, I called and apologized for having to turn down her gracious invitation. Like giggling schoolgirls, we anxiously etched in a set date to see each other the following summer.
Four months later, I felt my heart quicken as I was being informed of the terrible news about my close friend. Her body had given out; she had passed away in the night.
My thoughts immediately trailed back to the day I cancelled the trip to see her. I moaned at my shallow decision not to visit her that day. Regret sank my spirit like the Titanic ship. There was no saving it. God, knowing Quanita’s exact days on earth, had given me one last time with my friend and I simply blew it.
I still have her name in my address book as it is set apart by stained teardrops smudging the surrounding area. It serves as a reminder of God’s “divine appointments” in our lives. It’s a place of conviction for me, much like when the disciples couldn't stay awake to “watch and pray” for their Lord.
Do you remember the scene? It was the hour of destiny - the moment Christ needed the disciples “to be there” for him. Scripture states, “his soul was overwhelmed with sorrow - even to the point of death." There was no relief in sight and at that moment he knelt to talk to his Father – the only one who would not leave him.
After Christ prayed, He returned to the disciples. What a sight it must have been to his blood shot eyes. Instead of pounding on the door of the throne room of heaven on his behalf, he found them fast asleep among the rocks. Christ was deeply frustrated; they just didn’t get it. They had missed the point entirely. Why didn’t they realize what was about to occur? Not even the brutal physical pain Jesus was about to experience on the cross could match the agony Hefelt in His spirit. Yet "a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out" (Isaiah 42:3).
Unfortunately, I am not alone in missing the mark. The disciples disappointed Christ, misinterpreted His teachings and power, doubted and denied Him, and simply lacked faith. They did not set out to wound Christ, but they did. I never intended to miss such a precious moment with my friend, but I did.
As Christians, we often fall short of the mark; however, this makes the gift of God’s grace even more remarkable and valuable. When our shortcomings are glaringly visible, God’s grace is gently magnified. At these moments we become acutely aware of our humanity and dependency on God – that isn’t all bad. Through Christ, and with the help of God's Holy Spirit, our inadequacies are met. Why not take a moment to pray this simple prayer and by faith trust God to empower you to live a Spirit-filled life.
Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have sinned against You by directing my own life. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ's death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I lay my worries at your feet in the assurance of Your perfect love for me, and Your power over the things which overwhelm me. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
In humility and through failure, I have learned to seize each moment and not miss the mark. Friend, when a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade. Embrace it. Act on it.
~ Kay McDaniel is a popular professor, columnist, speaker, and author. Her book, "Serving the Master" is a colorful devotional that has encouraged many who desire to live an overcoming life in Christ Jesus. Click here to visit her website.
