God gives better things to those He loves.

True story. I was living in the Vancouver area in 2021 when, after 5 years of ownership, my second hand Samsung Galaxy S4 died suddenly.

One day it was fine. The next day it got super hot, shut down and just wouldn’t start again (except, miraculously, later in the day for a few hours, giving me just enough time to download all the contents to my laptop. THANKS, GOD!!)

That very same day, after work, I went to the nearest mall to get a new phone. I was praying with great urgency as I went: “God, I need a phone quickly for this and that! God, which one should I get! God, please help!”

There were two possible businesses to get a new phone from at the mall closest to me.

Business 1 had the latest model, a Galaxy S22, for $40/month over 2 years with a new phone plan. They had run out of S21s, which were being sold for a discounted price of $30/month. They offered a $100 gift card to buy with them.

Business 2 had the S21s for $30/month, but no gift card.

I went back to Business 1. The salesperson said I COULD try their other location for the S21, but that store was quite a commute from where I lived, and I couldn’t go until the next day (closing time was soon).

As I went back and forth between the two businesses a few times, checking and rechecking, I thought and prayed in my mind. I couldn’t deny the consistent inspiration that, despite my own sense of urgency and great eagerness (I mean, a new phone, RIGHT?), I should wait until the next day. I was definitely disappointed. Still, after confirming again and again, I decided to follow the inspiration.

I arrived at Business 1’s other location the next day and was able to get the S21. However, the $100 gift card promotion had ended the previous day. It seemed I’d missed the opportunity. The sales rep made the most of it, though. He said he would be willing to give me a $50 gift card anyways if I signed up for a $6/month warranty subscription (which I could cancel after 3 months).

Oh, well. Ok.

And then…

As the rep tried to sign me up for the $30/month discounted price, some sort of admin issue on their computer system prevented him from giving it to me. After a few minutes of playing around, he found that, instead, he was able to give me the S21 for $15/month! Yes! FIFTEEN DOLLARS/MONTH over 2 years—altogether less than one-third the original price of the phone!

And he gave me a discount on a phone case on top of all that!

I was SOOO HAPPY! SOOO THANKFUL TO GOD!

As we finished off the deal, the rep told me that he was from some other location and only filling in for someone who was sick that day. Indeed, the next day, he was scheduled to begin his new role as the manager for the mobile phone department at (get this) the store I had gone to the PREVIOUS DAY!

I was, and still am, flabbergasted. And STILL SOOO THANKFUL TO GOD!

When I think of the timing of the phone’s breakdown, its 3-hour resurrection, the subtle clues of inspiration at the mall, the timing of the sales rep the next, and the admin glitch, I still count it as one of my favourite stories with God and of discussing things with Him in real-time. I updated my phone a few months ago, but I've kept the S21 as a backup. Works great!

“God gives better things to those He loves. To do that, He thwarts what is ahead so that it will not work out. However, people do not know this and become disappointed seeing just that. God works that way so that things will turn out even better.”

My senior pastor said this during the most recent Sunday sermon. For me, this phone purchase is a quick and fun example, but I’ve got so many others. I’ve had entire life and career plans fell apart to my intense dismay, only for God to provide a better path, allowing Him to use my character, skills and talents in ways far more useful to Him and far more satisfying to me.

I am forever grateful.

Romans 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

How about you? Have you had something not work out and feel the bitterness of disappointment? Perhaps God did so on purpose so that He can provide you with something even better that’s still on its way. Perhaps you’ve already experienced that better thing and are enjoying it with Him! What’s your experience? Feel free to share in the comments!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Steve