#TGIF and for an Angel at the door!
Noteworthy; of all the things I could write about London on Wednesday, this one encounter surpasses them all. Dare I say all that begins with a challenge ends well.
When I arrived at the building of my appointment, I registered at the reception desk and was directed to my final destination...”go through the double doors to level 2, then the office you want will be right ahead of you...” why, thank you I said and hopped my way through as instructed. After what seemed like a million flight of stairs I came to the 2nd level landing. To my right was a set of doors, another in front of me and another to my far left. Instinctively, I took the one that made sense and turned to the right which led me to the lift hallway. I stood there disoriented trying to make sense of it or or find the signage that says the name of the company I was visiting. Tick, tock my 7 minute lead time was slowly becoming a ‘fashionably late alarm bell’! So I doubled back downstairs back to ‘ground zero’ to re orient myself and ask the receptionist to redirect me because I was lost!
Just as her and I got into the back n fro of what might have gone wrong, a mid 30-something’s man appeared by our side and calmly said, ladies, ladies...if you let me; I can direct you (he said gently nodding towards me). Just follow me and I’ll take you where you need to go as that's on my way!” He followed his offer by holding the same double doors I had just been through, beckoning me to follow him. After a moments hesitation and as I opened my mouth to resist, he nudged me to trust him and that he would personally take me where I needed to go. At that, with restless indignation at what had transpired before, I followed his lead. As we got to the bottom of the stairs, weary from my recent climb; I looked up at the now what seemed like an insurmountable flight stairs and I dejectedly said, ’but this is where I’ve just been.’ With a calming and cool demeanor, the young man graciously said, ‘I know, this place is like a maze, even I wondered if I could ever find my way round this building when I first started here. But if you follow me this way, he said as he led us to the lift, am sure I can get you where you’re going in no time and without breaking another sweat.”
Am sure I can get you where you’re going in no time and without breaking another sweat.”
Awwh, I said sheepishly, falling back in line and letting him take the lead one more time. As we waited for the lift, I turned to him and said, sorry for not trusting you earlier and thank you for being patient with me. It’s just that I’m now running late for my appointment, so I got flustered and nearly took it out on the receptionist and you...” He looked back at me and smiled, waving his hand in a ‘dismissive’ gesture...”nay- no need to apologise” he said; I get it, that’s all over now, you could’ve spent all day going back and forth with the receptionist wasting precious time - or you could move on and use that time wisely by finding your destination. So am glad I could help you get there now. When the lift arrived, we continued our conversation on the rise up, he said “So you just calm down, take a deep breath it’s all going to be okay now. If you need it, am happy to come out of the lift with you at level 2 and just be there with you until you feel calm enough to proceed. Or else just take your time, go to the bathroom, and freshen up before your enter your meeting. That should do the trick. Whatever you do, enjoy this day and the fact that you got this opportunity to have this potentially promising meeting. It’s all going to be okay, you’ll see!” Just then, the lift door opened at level 2, and he said, here you are - you did good, it’s all okay now!” Before I could say another thank you, the door closed shut between us. I turned around only to see that I was in the same spot I had been before, but this time right in front of me was the signage I had missed earlier on.
Moral of the story: Later that night I lay awake thinking ?? there I was quick to posting the negative elements of the city when this one major positive experience and moment of enlightenment lay dormant in the chambers of my heart! What difference was I from the gritty and nastiness of the same city I had begrudged earlier? At that, I sobbed and realised I had been touched by a divine power. To remind me that in all the striving, the self destructing habits and judging, there is a peace and divine providence that shines a light on all our darkness and darkest moments to lead us on to a path that’s lit and truly righteous. There it was again my 2020 verse: “ For where there is light , all things become visible!” Ephesians 5:14
Final Thoughts: This one is me! For every grumble, there is forgiveness. For every complaint, there is a compliment. Whatever we do, he carries us. When we are weary, he lifts us up. When we are stubborn He shows us the way. When we are lost, He finds us. When we are blind, He give us sight. Thank you Mr. Thirty-Something mystery city man.,, wherever and whomever you are - have a blessed life.