Often times I hear people complain about their current state in life. They are not satisfied. They wish they could do more; they know they could do more. Some feel that they have been placed in unfair circumstances. They should not be there in the first place. Their current position in life is someone else’s fault. Yet more live with regret. If only they had done things differently or taken different decisions. If you are one who is not happy with your current situation, have you ever considered that you might be standing in the right place?

In no way am I advocating that you deserve negative factors that accompany this position or that this position is your lot in life. While there is life there must be the hope for better things to come. But, I am asking you to consider that perhaps you find yourself in this situation because there is something that you can learn from it. The lessons you learn while standing in the valley can be the same lessons that will push you up to the mountain top. So, while you are in the valley don’t cry or complain. Look for the lessons.

Sometimes God also puts us in places and situations to be of blessing to someone else. But most times we are totally clueless of this possibility because we are busy crying and complaining about our own situation. Some years ago, I was standing outside of a mall waiting for my husband. We had agreed that while he took our vehicle to the car wash, I would do my shopping. Going shopping with women is not a favored activity for most men. Thinking that I did not want to prolong his torture by having him wait too long after he was finished, I finished my shopping in record time. I came out of the mall at our previously established meeting place and scouted the parking area. There was no sign of him. So I telephoned him. He told me that the line at the car wash was long. I would have to wait another 30 minutes.

Thirty-minutes just seemed like a very long time to stand and wait for someone. And what if it actually lasted more than 30 minutes? Impatient by the whole situation I debated between going back into the mall and walking home. At the time the mall was not too far from our home. It would take me about 30 minutes to walk home, anyway. Walking home seemed like the more benign action while going back into the mall might lead to the temptation of spending more money. I telephoned my husband with my change of plans. I had decided to walk home. He, however, discouraged me from walking home. He assured me that he would soon be finished; some cars had come out of the line. To keep the peace I decided to wait.

Standing outside the mall, I saw a lady step away from her vehicle and walked towards the mall but then something fell from her. It seemed like a food wrapper. Nothing of importance, I was sure. Perhaps it fell unknowingly to her or perhaps she dropped it consciously. I wasn’t going to say anything; it was not my business anyway. But something kept nagging me to say something about the wrapper to her. I really didn’t want to, because first of all I was really more concerned with my own dilemma. Second, it might just be trash. Third, she might not take too kindly to me pointing out some trash to her. Yet, the thought came back that I should say something.

For a few seconds I equivocated, but just when the lady was about to pass me I spoke up, “Excuse me, but I think you dropped something over there.”

Without looking back she checked her bag and exclaimed, “Lord, have mercy!” She held her head and sprinted back to the wrapper on the floor. She checked the contents and held them to her breast.

She then came over to me and touched my arm. Looking into my eyes, she expressed sincere gratitude, “Thank you so much. It is my rent. My landlord works in the store and I am here just to drop the rent off. Thank you, Thank you.”  

I felt immediate guilt. Here was I complaining about a 30-minute wait and someone was about to lose the money for their rent. To this day I do not know the woman’s story or situation but I do know that losing money could cause a lot of problems on any family’s finances.  

How many times have we complained to God about uncomfortable situations from which we long for a quick release? Have you ever considered that God might permit it so we can help somebody come out? The truth is that it’s not always about you, and it can’t always be about you. Your temporary discomfort might signify long-term comfort for someone else. If you choose to become more sensitive to the needs of others you just might realize that you are, after all, standing in the right place.

This week I want to invite you take a closer look at that situation that seems like a loose-loose one for you. Are there people around that God needs you to touch? You never know, you just might be at standing at the right place to make a difference in someone’s life.

Copyright Ó 2011 by Norka Blackman-Richards

Norka Blackman-Richards is an educator, a writer and an empowerment speaker on women, education, diversity and generational issues. She is the Chief Editor of Empowerment 4 Real Women, the Founder of 4 Real Women International, Inc., and the Global Developer for The Global Community for Change. She teaches for CUNY at Queens College.

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