Wednesday, January 25, 2006

right person, right place, right time

An acquaintance shared with me last week, "I can't tell you how many times I've felt like 'the wrong person, in the wrong place and time.' It's such a helpless feeling. Have you've felt like that?"

I had to admit that I've been in that place and time. Can you relate?

Following the conversation with my colleague, I had to ask myself, "So who is the right person in the right place at the right time? And have I ever been that person?" I'm sure we can all ask ourselves these same questions. And the answers? YOU and YES.

A consistent part of our human nature is our preoccupation with the smaller blemish rather than the larger and grander picture. Should we be mindful of our faults and flaws? Absolutely; it's what most likely keeps us rooted and connected with one another. But should we also be mindful of our gifts and callings? Absolutely; it's what gives us wings and also keeps us connected with one another. An example?

We find ourselves waiting around for the right time for grand events to unfold in our lives. We have dreams but we keep them hidden (even to ourselves) and silent. And we wait for the right moment for those dreams to come into fruition, with the help of that "right" someone. The movies seem to promote this theme and we accept it - and wait for that hero to ride in to save the day.

Have you ever had someone say to you, "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up or helped out"? Have you ever had someone say to you, "You're a life-savior, a God-send, a blessing"? Then in that brief moment, you, my friend, may very well have been the right person in the right place at the right time.

And you will be the right person in the right place at the right time AGAIN. It may not be in a grandiose movie-type moment, but in subtle and small but powerful ways. Through words of encouragement. Through a supportive spirit. Through silent role modeling. Through prayer. Through just being you, in the moment and place you're in right now.

That person seeking that right person in the right place at the right time may be sitting right beside you, my friend. They may be sitting there hoping for the stars to align and all to be right so that fate will smile down on them. Don't let them wait. Be that right person in that right place at that right time... for them... and for you.