During my college days in Chennai, I stayed in a rented house with a few friends. We all came from different faiths, but that never became an issue. In fact, they were very understanding. They even gave me a separate room, knowing I needed space to study, work, and spend time in prayer.
My days had a simple routine. I would wake up early, take a bath, pray, eat breakfast, and then head out. It gave me a sense of peace and structure.
One morning though, everything felt rushed. I overslept, hurried through my bath, and said a very quick prayer just to keep things going. It was not my usual time with God. It felt incomplete, but I ignored it and got ready to leave.
As I was about to step out, one of my friends called me by my full name.
That itself was strange. He had never done that before. It was always casual, always nicknames. But this time he sounded serious.
He looked at me and said, “What you’re doing these days is not good.”
I just stood there, confused. For a second, I didn’t understand what he meant.
Then it hit me. He was talking about my prayer.
He had noticed that something was off. That I had rushed it. That I wasn’t the same that morning.
It honestly shook me a bit. Not because he meant to correct me, but because it felt like something deeper. Like God was reminding me, through him.
It made me realize something simple but powerful. Even when we become careless or take things lightly, God does not step away from us. He finds ways to pull us back, sometimes through the most unexpected people.
It reminded me of Balaam’s story in the Bible. God used a donkey to speak to him and stop him from going the wrong way. If God could do that, He can definitely use anyone around us to get our attention.
That moment stayed with me. It humbled me.
It reminded me that God is always near, always watching, and always reaching out, even in small, quiet ways we might miss if we are not careful.
If you’re reading this, just remember this one thing. You are never too far from God. He knows how to reach you, no matter where you are or what state you are in.
With love,
Sam
