My daughter Amber is one of those teenagers that moms dream of. She's a content girl who rarely asks for anything. We are blessed, and considering the headaches that I put my parents through, I don't deserve her. Definitely.
Well, Amber's birthday was in May, and figuring out what to give her is always a challenge. For example, at Christmas time, the only thing on her Christmas list was the Indiana Jones Trilogy. For real. True story. But this year, I came up with a great idea for her birthday gift. Amber loves American Idol, so I talked to my husband, and we decided to get her American Idol concert tickets. We've been able to go twice before, and this would be a perfect gift. However, we couldn't even find four seats together in any of the concerts in the entire state of Texas. So we quickly made the decision to drive to the Oklahoma City concert. It would be Amber's birthday gift, not to mention a nice time for our family of four to get away together.
The concert was incredible. Of the three we've been to, it was by far the best, even though our seats were pretty high up. As we were getting ready to leave, I stopped to ask my husband Frank if we could go check to see if they were signing autographs. He quickly denied my motion. "It's late. They've never done it before. Let's go." Yes, it was a pretty matter-of-fact decision. I asked again, and I received the same reply.
Now, I'm pretty strong willed. Usually if I want something, I'll do it. I have no idea why I didn't follow my normal Beth-instincts and do what I wanted to do...at least asking an usher to confirm my question. Nonetheless, I complied with my husband. Yes, a rare moment for me. We went back to our hotel room, reminiscing about the great evening we had together as a family.
The next morning, we went to IHOP before starting back to our home in Texas. In the room, two other families were gathered. We could hear them also talking about their experience at the Idol concert the night before. Being the nosey person I am, I started to eavesdrop. However, I didn't like what I was hearing. One mom was talking about meeting Scotty and Lauren. Wait. How could this be? I piped in across the room. Did you meet them and get their autograph? You know the answer I heard.
I looked at Frank with a glare, and a forced smile, trying to be a good example. I missed my opportunity. I couldn't believe it. I had the chance. I even wore my I AM SECOND t-shirt to the concert, in hopes of meeting Scotty. I had the chance. I missed my opportunity. Over and over the thoughts ran through my mind. I wasn't mad at him. I was just frustrated. I was so close, but obviously so far away.
I had a long ride in the van to think about the situation. I even brought God into my thoughts. Imagine that. I prayed for a better attitude. And just as quickly as I did, He told me there were plenty of other more important missed opportunites that I should be concerned with. Missed opportunites to tell people about Him. I had a chance to tell those people at IHOP about God, but I missed that opportunity as well.
If you follow my blog, you might note that I haven't been writing as much lately. Actually, I have been doing a lot of writing, but just not a lot of blogging. God's been using my writing to write songs with one of my best friends. I don't publish most of them, because one day we hope to be able to get them recorded. As I contemplated about "Opportunites Lost", the Lord just gave me the poem below. I hope you'll look for opportunites to share His love with those around you. Let's do it together!
Opportunities Lost
© by Beth Banfill
Colossians 4:5-6 “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Sometime things just happen
And I’ve got no control over them
I miss a chance to fulfill my dream
And I’ll never get it back again.
But life is filled with near misses
Opportunities gone. Lost kisses.
And it’s so easy to cast the blame
“It’s not my fault.” - playing that game.
Then I hear God’s voice very clearly
While He looks at my tightly clenched fist.
“Just how many opportunities
To tell others about Me have you missed?
What about the lady at the store?
Did you tell her that I love her more?
And what about that dirty man on the street?
Did you walk by in fear as he begged at your feet?
And at church when they passed the plate?
Did you give willingly or hesitate?”
Missed opportunities – they abound.
God open my eyes, they’re all around.
Yes, sometimes, things just happen.
And we’ve got no control over them.
We miss a chance to fulfill our dream
And we’ll never get it back again.
But we always have an opportunity
To be Jesus throughout our community.
We just have to look with eyes open wide
Through the eyes of God and swallow our pride.
God let me be Your hands. Be Your feet.
Let me sieze the opportunity. Carpe Diem.
Let me be Your voice, no matter the cost.
So I have no more opportunities lost.
---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com
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