“Mum, can we have couch cuddles?” my son asked just as I opened the front door, ready to head to the office. His timing caught me off guard—I had a big day ahead and was eager to get an early start. I turned back, planning to say, “I’ll give you a quick cuddle goodbye, and we’ll do couch cuddles tonight.” But then I saw his wide smile and the hopeful glint in his eyes, and my heart melted. “Sure,” I said, realising this moment was far too precious to pass up.

Couch cuddles have been our little tradition since he was a baby. My son and I are early risers. We often share quiet mornings on the couch, him snug in my lap as we chat about anything and everything. He’s now 8 years old and he still loves these moments and so do I. Though he’s grown bigger, he still somehow fits perfectly in my arms.

When I finally made it to the car, I felt the familiar pang of stress creeping in. “Kids,” I thought with a sigh, “I love them, but they sure know how to slow me down.” By the time I reached the office, I was power-walking to make up for lost time. But as I approached, something felt off. Sirens blared nearby, people were gathered in clusters, and a tense energy filled the air.

As I settled into my desk, a colleague came by to share some shocking news. There had been a shooting in the car park next door. My heart dropped. “When did it happen?” I asked. The answer made me freeze. Had I left home on time, I would’ve been walking past that very spot at that moment.

A wave of gratitude washed over me. All the frustration about being late melted away. My son’s simple request for couch cuddles had unknowingly kept me safe. I felt overwhelmed with thankfulness. For his love, for that special moment, and God to have been watching over me.

Finding Meaning in the Unexpected

Life has a funny way of teaching us lessons in the most unexpected moments. How often do we get caught up in frustration when things don’t go as planned? When we’re late, interrupted, or inconvenienced? It’s easy to focus on the frustration in the moment. But what if these delays are life’s way of protecting us from something we’ll never see?

There are countless stories of people missing a plane, a bus, or an appointment, only to later realise they avoided disaster. Just think about the stories from September 11. So many people who should have been in those towers weren’t, because of small delays or changes in their routine.

That night, as soon as I walked through the door, I hugged my son tighter than ever before, planting kisses on his cheek. “Thank you for wanting cuddles this morning,” I whispered, overwhelmed with love and gratitude for our bond.

What about you? Have you ever experienced a moment where a delay or interruption turned out to be a blessing in disguise? I’d love to hear your stories. Share your thoughts in the comments below!