Masterplan

Its interesting, life. In any given situation, you assume that things will play out exactly the way you expect it to. Yet, how often does life really happen like that? According to plan? Psh'aw! I can count on my hand the number of times life went according to plan in the past couple of years.

No, no, no. It does not work like that. Rather, life presents you with things that at first glance you shrug off, take for granted, or perhaps don't even notice. The things that get you going on the right path in life are usually subtle. Yet, its these little subtleties, that no matter how spontaneous, can really change things for you. They may be the littlest of things, but they can impact you in big ways.

Yesterday was rough for me, and I had something really bugging me, really eating at me and I wasn't in any mood to talk to anyone about it. I let the bugging persist, and I went to sleep without settling what was bugging me. This is always a bad idea for me, especially added to the fact that I did not get a good night's sleep last night. I woke up crabby as ever, in a worse mood than I was in the day before. But what woke me would alter the rest of my day, even though I didn't know it at the time.

I had no alarm set, and even though I am not the type to sleep in all morning, I definitely was not ready for what woke me. My dad had climbed the stairs to my room to wake me up, I am guessing because I hadn't seen him all week, thanks to work related travel (week of Christmas, I know!). I tend to curl up onto one side of the bed, leaving a good amount of the bed left unused, and he climbed right on top of my bed. He is such a goof ball and talked conversationally to me even though I acted still asleep. When I couldn't act asleep any longer, I made it clear I wasn't happy, naturally, because I wear my emotions on my sleeve (it sucks!). He could tell something was wrong, and asked me about what was up. I fought his kindness because I didn't want to be vulnerable and throw my problems on him, especially during Christmas. He persisted, and I finally gave in and told him exactly what was up, and why I was upset. I ended up having a really deep and emotional conversation with my dad, all while staying curled up in my sleeping position. It lasted a good 20 minutes, and after we were done, he made me breakfast. What a guy.

That was quite a story, but what I mean from it all is that it was something that presented me in a time that I wasn't expecting, in a context that I didn't expect, from something that presented itself as something less than significant, and to be honest, initially annoying. First glance, it was just any other moment. But what it turned out to do was push my day towards a better direction. It didn't fix everything, and I wasn't completely resolved on what as bugging me, but that was the turning point. From that point on, things were starting to change for the better, and I cannot help but thank my father for this little, probably meaningless act that he did. The little things people do are a big deal, and it all goes both ways. The little things I do, I may not realize, probably have an impact on others do, so I try to always do what I might otherwise take for granted.

This doesn't just apply to my situation this morning though. I reflected though on situations and people I met, that at first glance or first meeting, I think nothing more of than a kind person. But its this person I am thinking of, that has made a huge impact on my life. I meet this person, and for all I know, I assume this person and I may never speak again. We do, and each time, I assume this person becomes just an acquaintance. And yet, this person becomes a bigger influence on my life, an important person to me. Call it fate, call it what you will, but I cannot help but think that this person was put into my life for a reason, and though I can say this, I still don't know the reason yet.

It amazes me, the complexity of it, but I really believe in God's masterplan. I meet this person, and don't think twice about it, and they slowly make me realize their importance and significance to me. Its the same with moment's like today. Little things like my father waking me up and talking to me in a time of need can really alter the happenings of an entire day. Our days are numbered, so to me that is a huge deal.

Just my New Year's Eve Eve thoughts. Merry Christmas to us all!