I want to tell you a story that I’ve never told anyone before …other than my wife, Sarah.
The day was June 13, 2011. It was the first day of our honeymoon to the Virgin Islands. I had just got up from an amazing lunch, and was waist deep in the Atlantic Ocean about 50 ft off the shoreline. I had my snorkeling gear on, and I was excited. I was just waiting for Sarah to put her flippers on and join me in the water, so we could embark a snorkeling adventure over one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world.
It’s hard to describe just how happy I was at that very moment. Considering the circumstances, this was going to be one of my all time “top 10 best days ever”. But, in one split second that all changed.
I felt the wedding ring that I had just been given 48 hours earlier, slip off my finger into the ocean. It was instantly buried in the sand. I froze dead in my tracks. The emotions that followed were: Panic, helpless, hopeless, defeated, frustration, fear, regret, disappointment, anger, etc.
I don’t remember the exact dialogue, but I’m pretty sure the conversation inside my head went something like…
“Oh CRAP, what am I going to do? There is no way I will ever be able to find a tiny little ring in this big, living, ocean. It’s gone forever. There’s nothing more I can do. …Man, what a crappy way to kick off our honeymoon! Sarah’s going to be so upset. …I KNEW I should have left it on the beach with the other stuff… What was I thinking? …I always seem to do stupid stuff like this! …Why can’t I ever seem to catch a break?!”
Not a very pleasant conversation, but one that we all have from time to time. Especially if you are an entrepreneur! No matter what journey we embark on; It always seems to be exciting, achievable, and fail-proof when we first start out. We honestly BELIEVE that we can make it work. (Otherwise we wouldn’t do it at all, am I right?)
…But it doesn’t take long before that belief is tested. It doesn’t take long before that first big TEST comes along and tries to convince us that we’ve lied to ourselves, and we really can’t make it work. But that’s not true at all.
It’s what you do in THAT moment that defines your future. Most people quit. It’s the DECISION you make in that moment that makes all the difference. The decision to not believe that LIE that’s telling you that you can’t do it. Most people never make that decision.
OK, back to the story…
After about an HOUR had passed, I sat down on our beach chair, and I FINALLY did what I KNEW I should have done the moment it happened. (hey, an hour late is better than never) I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and told God that I was happy, as long as His will was being done in my life. (This was my time of DECISION that I mentioned earlier)
I made the simple decision that I controlled the quality of my honeymoon, and NOT my circumstances. (Plus, I know that as long as I’m being obedient to God, then good things will happen in my life.) The rest of my honeymoon was amazing.
Not 5 minutes after making that decision, I picked up my flippers, and headed back out to the water with a renewed spirit. About 15 steps in, one of my toes dug into the sand just enough to slide into the loop of my wedding band. (not kidding!) How cool is THAT? All because I made a decision.
I could write for DAYS about how amazing the rest of that day was, and the special meaning that the ring now has for me …But my hands are getting a little tired from typing, so I’ll save that for another day, and leave you with this…
When the journey gets tough, you have 2 choices that you can make. Both of them play an equal role in determining what comes next. If you BELIEVE that your circumstances are too much for you to handle, then you’re right. That doesn’t mean you’re going to have a “bad” life.
…But if you chose to BELIEVE that tiny little sentence in the Bible that says “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”, and you NEVER GIVE UP, then you will be blessed beyond imagination, and you will accomplish so much more in life.
Have Fun, Be Blessed!
Justin Glover
PS: If you would like to “weigh in” with your thoughts and comments, you can do so below…
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at 10:57 pm
OMG JUSTIN, I have tears in my eyes of happiness from this story. Stuff like this happens to me all the time and I do share it with others. I am so glad you shared this openly with others.
Funny thing that people don’t understand is that God put us here with free choice. That means that we are responsible for our thoughts and actions. You had decided to change it around and found your ring. What are those chances? If you believe, all comes to you.
Your quote “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”, and you NEVER GIVE UP, then you will be blessed beyond imagination, and you will accomplish so much more in life. Is the stuff I and my husband David live by.
Thanks so much for your inspiration,
Donna
at 11:13 pm
Glad you enjoyed the story Donna! The more you make these decisions, the easier they become. It’s funny, because it wasn’t until I re-read it myself that I realized that it took a DECISION for me to even write it.
I had so many other things that i COULD have spent the last hour doing, but deep down I KNEW that I needed to write this post instead of do the other things…
I’m not sure WHY yet, but I’ve learned that when God puts something on my heart, it’s not my job to ask why… It’s my job to be obedient.
Thanks again for your comments!
at 8:38 am
Romania
Sigur dorinta lui D-zeu Tatal a fost intodeauna sa poata locui in inima noastra multumesc frate Justin G. pentru mesajul binecuvantat care a dat d-zeu “pot totul in christos care ma intareste” inteleg eu chemarea lui d-zeu nu este pentru aici ci pentru imparatia cerurilor , dar acceasta chemare vine pina aici sa ne ajute in umblarea noastra caile lui d-zeu. Domnul isus mereu si mereu vorbeste despre aceasta “cautati mai intai imparatia cerurilor si neprihanirea lui d-zeu” el mai spune ca este in noi , trebuie doar sa cautam si d-zeu se lasa sa fie gasit . d-zeu sa te binecuvanteze , amin
Certainly the desire of God the Father was always able to live in our hearts thanks for the message brother Justin G. blessed that God gave “may Christ who strengthens me everything” I understand God’s call is not for here but the kingdom of heaven, but come up here acceasta call to help us in our walk god’s ways. Jesus speaks again and again that “seek first the kingdom of heaven and the righteousness of God” he says that is in us, just look and let God be found. God bless you, amen
at 7:26 pm
Thanks for reading ioan!
at 9:29 am
Hi Justin,
I’m so proud of you!!
I did a good bit of checking on you before I got you as an instructor and this blog and newsletter only validates what I knew already.
It is truly a blessing, (although sometimes we disagree), to be associated with a “Brother in Christ”, because we know we have each other’s best interest at heart.
God takes care of his children and wishes good things for all of us. I love Donna Merrill’s comment also. I couldn’t sleep without knowing God was looking over me and my family. As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.
God bless you for letting everyone know you run a christian business.
James
at 7:28 pm
Thanks James!
I’m so glad that I’ve been blessed to have people like you in my life.
at 10:24 am
Good to hear from a man of faith — it’s so rare, especially in these days for one to admit to it. Awesome, and thanks for lifting the Spirit!
at 7:31 pm
No problem Sandra! Glad you enjoyed it!
at 4:53 pm
justin, thank you very much for your words of honesty and encouragement. Sometimes God sends the special person with just the right message for another of His children to carry on. I am fighting very hard right now not to give up and say making money online is just not for me, but thanks to your words of encouragement I will not give up. Thanks again. Psalms 20:7 says, Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. He will never let us down.
at 8:21 pm
Glad to know that I can give you encouragement during these tough times. Don’t give up, and seek first the Kingdom of God. If you do that, 2012 will be the best year of your life!
at 7:56 pm
Mate, that story is like a fairytale! Glad you found it and it all went well. Greatly integrated with the main message of decisions, not giving up, believing…
at 8:21 pm
Glad you enjoyed it Sam!
at 2:16 pm
don’t know what to say…am just short of word