Event
A couple of weeks into my stay, I went to the mall and headed straight to the ATM, as I was running out of Rand and decided it was time to replenish the stock while I had a chance. I put my card in the machine and start going through the process. When the ATM began asking for me cell, I had had enough - hit cancel and go to the other ATM I was used to.
But no, I wasn't getting off that easy. I wouldn't have anything worth telling you if crazy things didn't happen.
It didn't matter how many times I hit 'Cancel', my card wasn't coming out. Someone was behind me, so I moved aside and waited for their inevitable realization that they weren't going to be able to get anything out with my card hogging all the space; within 2 minutes, however, the person had their money in their hands and sauntered off happily on their way.
Completely confused, I went back to the machine. Bert, who had been along the whole time, noted the slight gap underneath the insert for the card and asked if just possibly I might have dumped it into the wrong slot? Within seconds, I was shining my flash-light (one of the many reasons I keep my phone on me) and was peering into the troublesome space. Sure enough, I had been blind enough not to spy the correct slot for insert and had chucked my card in a little space right below. Well, at least I wasn't the only one to make that dumb mistake - someone else's card happily kept mine company.
All right God, I thought, I'll see how you work this one out. After successfully surviving the few incidents that had happened since I left Halifax, I figured God would once again make every thing work out - no sense worrying or crying over spilt milk.
We had a wonderful 5-second drive to the bank after - unsuccessfully - trying to explain the situation to the telephone bankers. To keep this story from going forever, the bankers finally stopped giving us petty advice like using tweezers - the slot was too small and, goodness, I'm sure security would be impressed! - or simply cancel my card and get a new one - sorry, but that's simply not happening - to eventually calling someone who serviced the machine and could get into it. Back to the mall we went, me peeking in once more, just to make sure my card was still there. Yup, fast asleep with his little buddy. 5, 10, 15 minutes went by. The proverbial pot wasn't boiling, so I tried to keep my mind occupied. After around 30-45 minutes, we were rescued from our boredom and within 2 minutes my card was safely in my grasp without even a question for ID.
Once I had my card in my hands, I promptly walked over to the other ATM, and made my withdrawal there. I was not touching that faulty machine again!
It's so easy to get frustrated and upset with all the little things that take up time, money, and energy. As soon as something doesn't work out the way we wanted, we begin inwardly (and sometimes outwardly) fuming and complaining.
I want to challenge everyone to think further into our "mishaps" than that.
Think about it. Everything in life has a purpose for happening. Have you ever considered how all the little annoyances in life could have huge potential for helping us grow spiritually? Okay, so my card got stuck in the machine: instead of seeing this as an unfair injustice and groaning about "why everything always happens to me", I can see this situation as a way of God helping me to trust in Him and keep a positive disposition because He is in control. Owe an unexpected $600 in taxes? Be thankful you have the money to pay it. Have your flights switched around for seemingly the worse on you? Maybe it's because God has planned it out a way that becomes much more favourable.
So the next time something happens and your first response is to complain, remember: your Heavenly Father will never give you any needless pain. Everything He does has a reason, and His plan is always perfect. Keep trusting in Him and looking for His goodness in every situation.
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