By Leymah R. Gbowee
During a recent conversation with my brother Ngafuan, we talked about many things from politics to the state of our generation and how it is important to keep good people in your corner. It was a deeply enriching exchange, punctuated by his profound observation, “You know in this life, if we all just remind ourselves daily that there is no traffic jam in heaven, we won’t be angry at others’ success or envy others.” I found “no traffic jam in heaven” to be interesting. I played it around in my mind for a long time and realized that this is true. God has a blessing customized for each one of us. I believe this without a doubt. I have often written about my life and some of the challenging moments I have encountered; and how in those years, I trained myself to be genuinely happy for people knowing that a moment will come when I too would be celebrated.
To say it was easy I would be telling a lie. Especially those moments where I had to beg my friends for money to buy supplies for my children. I have many memories of looking longingly at the success of some of my friends and being a tad bit jealous; then I would go home and chastise myself for those thoughts and proceed to encourage myself that if I work hard enough, God will smile on me one day. Till this day, I still carry on said practice.
Imagine praying for something, then it is like God ignored your prayers, but gave that identical answer to someone else. In those moments you begin to think that there is a traffic jam in heaven, as if many people are in queue for the same blessing. I believe timing is key. God knows that some blessings are for a certain age and stage; and if it is given too early, we may misuse, abuse, and destroy it.
If you are in a season where you are feeling like your prayers are held up in traffic in heaven, please calm down. Trust that the Divine knows each one of us and that he has customized answers and blessings for all of us.
Remember family, “There is NO Traffic Jam in Heaven”!!
Happy Monday!!
