The Better Offer

I'm always telling my kids that God is the great equalizer. If something unjust happens, the Lord has a tendency to bring His justice. I've seen it over and over again. It's just wiser to make the correct decision the first time rather than wait to see how God brings it back around His way. I've been on both ends of it.

Recently, we were making plans to visit our daughter, Ayla, in college for Valentine's weekend. She informed us that we could come, but she already had dinner plans, months in the making, with her girlfriends for Feb. 14. They were dressing up and going out for a fancy dinner. We duly noted that, and said we'd work around it. Our plans changed when our daughter said she would be home for Spring Break two weeks later, so we decided to wait until then for our visit.

The Friday before Valentine's Day, Ayla's friends got a "better offer," so to speak. They were invited to the beach with other friends. So they abandoned the plans for the fancy Valentine's dinner with Ayla and ditched her for the beach road trip. Ayla was crushed. She learned some hard lessons that weekend. She learned who she could trust and who she couldn't. She learned the depths of friendship. She learned how to be graceful and forgiving, while hurting. And she learned empathy for anyone who is ever left behind. As a result, she is tougher, stronger and growing.

It's an age old question ... if you have plans with friends, and something better comes along, do you go for the second one because it's more appealing, or stick with your commitments. It's a choice between selfishness and honor. I am pleased my daughter was going to stick with what she committed to even when it was her family driving six hours to come see her. It shows integrity and respect, qualities Solomon spoke about in Proverbs 18:24: "Some friends play at friendship, but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin."

Every decision shouldn't have to be made wondering, "How will God bring justice to this should I choose wrong?" - even though He typically will with Divine Perfection - but rather

..."Which of these choices shows I am my Father's child?"