Arashiyama! Immediately, it was on top of my wish list as soon as I found out I was going to tag along with my husband to Osaka. Yay! I had missed it on prior trips so I got excited to do something new.
But as this particular trip unfolded, the beloved expressed, “Don’t go there” more than three times because he heard it would be too hot and uncomfortable that time of year.
Then, my free day arrived. I heard the door close after my husband. [Eyes to the ceiling; Slowwww wide smile] I had the time to myself! My mind started drifting back towards Arashiyama. Maybe others would feel hot but I don’t really feel hot; I’m from Manila where it gets even hotterrrrr… I could stay just very quickly and leave right after; I could do everything in three hours and still have the rest of the day to do whatever… My Japanese friend said it would be very easy to do from Osaka…
And then came a sweet memory sound byte from Deonna Tanchi: “Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.” My teacher, Jasmin’s, “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. “And then Ptr. Peter’s, “If you are not following Jesus, you are not a follower of Christ.”
I started processing this situation remembering that when I leave word with my assistants at work (or home), their faithfulness to do things in a way consistent with our agreement reinforces my trust in and appreciation of them. This reminded me of the chain of submission ultimately to Jesus but through the authorities He appointed in our lives.
Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.
It would be a matter of obedience to Jesus. No person will know if I went but God who sees everything will. To cap off the battle between my flesh (wanting to gratify my desires) and the Holy Spirit (obedient to Christ), He reminded me of what Ann Voskamp said in One Thousand Gifts: “The only place we have to come before we die is the place of seeing God.”
I realized I can live without seeing Arashiyama. What I don’t want to miss out on is being in the center of His will choosing Him over a tourist spot. (Waaah, a tourist spot almost became another one of my Esau’s soup bowls.) Praise God He enabled me to move Arashiyama into His hands as part of my wish list (if He cares to fulfill it in His perfect timing).
Is it possible to have a fulfilling day even if I didn’t get to fulfill my number one wish?
I tried it out. Here’s my alternative trek:
UTSUBO PARK. This long rectangular park used to be a runway of the United States Army and now, it is a refreshing oasis in the middle of Osaka’s urban landscape.
Because I was the only tram passenger on the way up, I was able to ask the driver to take my photo here.
Then off I went to see the architecture of City Hall as recommended by the Concierge:
A quick brunch from Family Mart before a cozy afternoon siesta:
Post-siesta walk at DOTONBORI while it was hot outside.
Then it was time to grab a late lunch:
And time to appreciate the beautifully etched sky at dusk:
In the end, even without Arashiyama, I still got the things I was hoping to experience there: saw some greens with fresh air, enjoyed the view, did something new. But with the bonus of a lot of cool breaks and a nearby comfortable siesta in the hot Osaka weather. Plus, I was spared from the stress of deciphering which train transfers to take because I just took the ready taxis in between.
Thank You, Lord for a full enjoyable day in comfort with the peace of mind that comes with following You. Thank You for using our authorities to lead us to Your better will.
Looking back at my alternative trek the summary of places reminded me of certain things that affirmed my decision for the day
CASTLE: I should live a life worthy of the calling of a Daughter of the King of Kings. But my King’s home will not be for looking at but for dwelling in.
1 Cor 2:9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him.
Update: After three months, the Lord gave me another opportunity to accompany the beloved to Osaka and guess where our first pasyal was?
The Lord gifted me with a day trip with the beloved…. to see the glorious autumn foliage… in Arashiyama… along with the bamboo grove I had longed to see three months prior! Two wishes in one day-trip in cool weather with the beloved taking my photos as we hiked into Kyoto as well.
Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
I wouldn’t have had as rich, varied, cool, and laughter-filled an experience had I not submitted to the Lord, had I insisted to spoil His best plan by manipulating my way to come here on my preceding trip just because I wanted my way on my time in my terms. Thank You, Lord, for using my earthly authority to bless me and giving me the faith, by Your grace, to wait for Your timing.
Original post from Butterflyinthespring
Very encouraging. Reading through the steps to obedience is very instructional. I will keep this in mind and process in same manner… keeping God’s word as reminders to obedience, not taken lightly but seriously. The reward may have taken 3 months to arrive but was worth it.
Obedience was already worthwhile during the time you obeyed but the reward was the best.
Thank you for sharing.
Praise God alone Sis Moonyeen for His leading and help to obey. Sometimes His blessings are far better than what we originally desire. He knows best. In this case, the reward was same with bonus but sometimes His rewards are different. We don’t know all the things we get spared from, we don’t always notice how He replaces our pipitsugin desires with better ones that impact even the generations after us when we seek His will and obey. Thank you for your encouragement and thank you for reading and sharing! Praying Psalm 20 for you!