(For the girl I lit the candles for)

When life withholds or takes away something good, expected, or deserved, God or the universe often provides something else – not just good or better, but special.  I used to have this comic book Bible and one of the stories I remember was the one about Lot and Abraham.  Lot wants his own territory and Abraham graciously lets him have the first choice.  Of course, Lot picks the land that appears to be the most attractive,  Sodom and Gomorrah.  Abraham is disappointed and downcast.   He thinks he has drawn the short stick.  The next panel in the story has stayed in my mind since I first read it – God appears and commands Abraham to look all around him.  He then says that all Abraham sees will belong to him.

That is the special.

Maybe it’s in tangible, physical manifestations, but it’s probably something more mystical, transcendent like His power or love.  I’ve seen this pattern play out in my life.  God says don’t look at others, wait and see what I will provide.  Even now, He says “I am teaching you in the darkness what you cannot learn in the light.” 

And when I’m scared or sad, He replies in Spanish ”No se preocupe, hijo.”