Not all delays are attacks. Sometimes, they are God's way of reminding you that His agenda is greater than your itinerary.

It was 7:15 a.m. on a Monday morning, and I was already running late for work.

Work resumes by 8:00 a.m., and I work in a federal hospital where Monday mornings are always demanding.

I immediately tried to book an Uber because that was the only thing that could save me from getting to work late.

My ride request was declined several times.

By then, it was already 7:30 a.m. I switched to Bolt, but the moment I opened the app, I felt a strong restraint not to book the ride.

Why?

This was the easiest way to avoid being late. If I took public transport instead, I would have to walk another ten minutes from where the ‘danfo’ would drop me to the hospital. But with Uber or Bolt, the driver would take me straight through the hospital gate and drop me right in front of my department.

“Holy Spirit, not today, please. I'm already late.”

As I tried clicking ‘Book Ride’, the restraint became even stronger. Eventually, I stopped, put my phone away, and boarded a ‘danfo’ instead.

Whatever this was, this wasn't the right time.

I glanced at my wristwatch. It was already 7:45 a.m.

The journey would take another thirty minutes, plus the extra ten-minute walk into the hospital. I was almost certain I wouldn't get there until around 8:25 or 8:30 a.m.

My heart raced as I calculated the time over and over again. No matter how I did the maths, I was going to be late.

When I got down from the bus, I hurried toward the hospital gate. The way I was walking, you would think someone was chasing me.

Just a few steps before I got to the hospital gate, I accidentally brushed against a young woman carrying her little daughter.

Without looking back, I quickly said, "Sorry," because I was in a hurry.

I had barely taken five steps when I heard a soft voice call, “Aunty...”

This wasn't exactly the right moment for me to pay attention to anyone. But there was something unusual about that voice. It carried a pain I couldn't ignore.

I stopped immediately and turned around.

The young woman and her daughter were already a short distance behind me.

“Ah, God! I'm late.”

I quickly walked back to where they were standing.

A thought tried to stop me.

Are you sure your emotions aren't playing tricks with you?

But I went anyway.

"Good morning, ma," I greeted. “Did you call me?”

Who even does that in Lagos?

She smiled faintly and shook her head.

"No, not really," she said. "I was trying to get your attention, but I didn't call you. Before I could say anything, you had already walked away, so I just left it.”

Then she told me their story.

She had spent all the money she had on medications for her daughter, and now they didn't even have enough money for transportation back home.

Ah!

My heart broke.

Without thinking twice, I reached into my purse, and gave her ₦2,000.

The tears that streamed down her face said more than words ever could.

She looked at me and whispered, "Thank you.”

Then it all made sense.

If my Uber ride had been accepted, I would have driven straight into the hospital compound. I would never have met that woman. I would never have heard that gentle, unexplained voice that made me turn back. And I would have missed the opportunity to become an answer to someone's prayer.

****

Even when it doesn't make sense, may the Lord give us the grace to tune our hearts to the pause, the whisper, the restraint, and the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit.

Always pray for seeing eyes, listening ears, and an obedient heart. If you truly desire to walk with the Holy Spirit, your spiritual insight must be sharper than your natural sight. 

Because not all delays are attacks. Sometimes, they are God's way of reminding us that His agenda is greater than our itinerary.

Inspired by a true-life event.

Truth in Fiction.

— God's Ready Writer