TAILORED
A few months ago, I went to DSW (one of my favorite places in life) to find a new pair of shoes.
I came across these beautiful white Nikes, with neon green and orange accents. For all of you sneaker heads out there, you may find these shoes to be a bit basic lol, but to me they are everything.
I skimmed through the boxes until I found my perfect 7 ½ size.
I sat down and took the shoes out of the box with excitement. As I started to try on the shoes, I noticed how snug they felt. I tried to walk in them to break them in, but they were still extremely uncomfortable.
I searched online to see what reviews other buyers left on the shoes, trying to find at least some sort of encouragement that these shoes were worth buying even though they did not fit.
Every review stated how it was beneficial to go a half size up instead given how narrow the shoes were.
After reading the reviews, I made my way back over to the shoe boxes to try to find an 8.
Not an 8 in sight.
I even asked one the associates if there were any additional sizes in the backroom. It is very rare that I ask for help while shopping, but I was extremely adamant about buying the shoes. She advised that we check to see if there were other stores nearby that carried them.
That was the last thing I wanted to hear.
In that moment, I had no intentions on searching other stores because I wanted the shoes right then and there. I did not want to wait. If it meant that the shoes did not fit, then so be it!
In true Arianna fashion, I bought the shoes in a 7 ½. As soon as I made my way back to my car, I immediately had buyer’s remorse. I quickly took out my phone, went online to DSW.com and found a size 8. I ordered the shoes, and I returned the other pair within 10 minutes of buying them.
The shoes were set to arrive to the store in 4-7 business days.
4-7 business days turned into two weeks.
Regardless, the shoes fit perfectly, and they are definitely my new favorites!
In that brief moment in my driver’s seat, this thought came to mind:
You are willing to settle for a pair of shoes that do not fit because you are not patient enough to wait for the same shoes that are the proper fit.
I often forgo the better fits in my life for the immediate satisfaction of the unfit.
This is a theme that you could apply to just about anything - from career moves, food choices, relationships, friendships, the way you spend your money, and even your time.
This reminds me of a lesson I learned in economics class.
Economics was definitely not my forte in college lol, but there is one topic I remember so well : opportunity cost.
According to Investopedia, opportunity costs represent the potential benefits an individual, investor, or business missed out on when choosing one alternative over another.
My college professor explained it like this: What you are willing to forgo for the next best thing?
I'll never forget that.
Sometimes, loving yourself is forgoing what you see in the now, for the better that lies in the future.
It is having the ability to cherish what is ahead, more than the temporary of the now.
It is having the patience to wait for “the best” versus “the almost.”
God has amazing things in store for our lives.
The proper fit specifically for us.
Tailored.
Custom-made.
Love who God has made you to be, to the extent where you crave the plans he has for you.
“For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord,” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Tailor-made plans.