“Oh, NO!”
“Dad, come look! Something is wrong with the fridge!”
Something indeed. The electronic light on the refrigerator door is out.
My immediate thoughts: Not good. A computer board malfunction? What’s that going to cost?
But when the refrigerator door is opened, the inside light doesn’t turn on.
Hmm. Perhaps the breaker is blown on the electrical circuit? But the kitchen lights are still on….
A trip to the basement reveals no breaker has been tripped.
Guess it’s time to replace this old fridge.
Lori is apprised of the situation. This will not wait until morning, determines my dear wife. Action is needed to preserve the food!
Step 1. Empty the 25-year-old-but-still-working downstairs fridge. (Insert personal commentary on declining quality of manufactured goods here.)
Step 2. Take the contents to the office where freezer and fridge space are available.
Step 3. Take the food from the 11-year-old defunct fridge and refill the downstairs fridge.
Step 4. Confirm the fridge is really dead by trying an alternate power source. Yep. It’s a goner.
The useful life of this unit has been in question for some time. The icemaker increasingly requires regular manual defrosting, an added household chore. Time for a replacement.
The following day we visit our trusted appliance dealer. The good news: they are happy to recommend good manufacturers.
The bad news: none of the models suit all our parameters, and ones we could settle for are not in stock. Hopefully, within six weeks…?
They suggest we check availability elsewhere. We’ll return to order if we don’t find what we’re looking for elsewhere.
Three “big box” stores are nearby. Typically, we would check the “blue store” last; seldom are they the cheapest. But they are closest, and this is a big-ticket item, so in we go.
Sam, the cheerful sales guy, is young but knowledgeable. With size and brand options in mind, within three minutes he points us to a unit that might fit our needs.
Voila! Right size, desired features.
And look at this! It’s marked down $900!
“If it’s in stock, we’ll take it!”
Sam scans the bar code. “Yup! In stock.”
Yes!
Then the dreaded, “Oh, wait a minute.”
Oh no!
Followed by, “Looks like an open box unit may be available. Let me check.”
Turns out, someone in corporate had listed this model for sale online for…$48! Several were shipped to stores for pickup before the error was discovered.
Obviously, the corporation couldn’t let them go at that price, but discounted them an additional $600 below sale price. One unit remains at that close-to-cost price at our store. Oh, and Sam gets the manager to throw in free delivery.
Lori is literally moved to tears at this unexpected blessing of the Lord.
Two days later, the old “not-so-faithful” fridge is hauled away and the new unit installed, soon making ice like a champ. Just in time for house guests – and 11 days before we leave the country for a ministry conference in Poland.
Perhaps you’ll relate to the “oh no” feeling in the kishkes (innards) when something unexpectedly goes wrong, only to find the rainbow after the storm.
I’m not sure I’d choose 9 PM on a weeknight for a refrigerator to give up the ghost. But I’m so glad it happened when it did! Imagine coming home from weeks of travel to melted freezer items and a fridge filled with fetid food!
Sometimes we see God’s “grace upon grace” in such tangible ways. Like the time a few months back when Lori’s car got a flat tire. She was alone, hours from home, on an interstate highway.
A stranger stopped to assist her, changed the tire, and advised on safe driving with a spare tire. Turns out he was a believer who “happened along” at just the right time. And across the street from where Lori was meeting friends for lunch was a tire shop where a new tire was installed while she ate.
Life is full of “oh no” instances. Like when we’re unexpectedly delayed.
Sometimes we learn later that because of that negative circumstance we missed a worse outcome, such as avoiding being part of a major accident down the road.
Or the time I missed a flight to Tel Aviv out of Istanbul. God provided a divine appointment with an Israeli musician on the next flight, which afforded the opportunity to share the gospel. A friendship was sparked that continues to this day.
One of my favorite Bible characters is Joseph, whose life is a series of “oh no” incidents that go from bad to worse. Sold into slavery (by his own brothers!). Tossed into an Egyptian prison (for refusing the advances of his boss’s wife!). Overlooked when other inmates are released and deep discouragements only multiply for this lifetime “loser!”
Until that day when he is brought before the king and elevated to the highest governmental position possible.
Now well-established in life, Joseph has the opportunity for classic payback when his brothers show up looking for food in time of famine. If there ever was a reason for revenge, surely Joseph’s treatment by his siblings qualifies. But rather than wreaking vengeance, a no-longer-youthful Joseph blesses his older brothers. “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20).
Ultimately, life is not about failing refrigerators, flat tires, or forfeited flights. Or even flagrant maltreatment and false accusations against us. These are ordained circumstances in which our faith (and sanctification!) are tested. Life’s disappointments (and worse) provide opportunities to look heavenward with an “I choose to trust You, Lord” attitude.
“God designs what we go through. We decide how we will go through it.” Choosing to trust God’s sovereign goodness, when our circumstances are far from what we would choose were we in charge, is still the best choice. In the words of the old hymn:
We are often tossed and driv’n
on the restless sea of time,
somber skies and howling tempest
oft succeed a bright sunshine;
in that land of perfect day,
when the mists have rolled away,
we will understand it better by and by.[1]
“In the Sweet By and By”[2] everything will be made clear. Tragedy will turn to triumph in that glorious day.
But “Until Then”[3] may we quickly recognize the presence and power of God’s good hand – even amidst our “oh no!” moments in the here and now.
Written by Wes, Life in Messiah Global Ambassador
How recently have you had a “God wink” – a circumstance in which you clearly see the Lord’s hand of protection, provision, or guidance?
Personal testimonies of God’s goodness in our lives can be great bridges to spiritual conversations. Is there a not-yet-believing relative, friend, or coworker who would benefit from hearing your story?
“Oh no!” moments often cause us to look heavenward. If you have a situation for which you’d like prayer, email us at office@lifeinmessiah.org.
Endnotes:
[1] “We’ll Understand it Better By and By” by Charles Albert Tindley, 1905.
[2] Hymn by Sanford Fillmore Bennet, 1868.
[3] Stuart Hamblen’s forward-looking song also points us to an eternal perspective.