Oishi Narrating
It was a beautiful Sunday — sunny, clear, and breezy — so Sus decided we should go to the park.
As usual, she walked while I ran. The air was fresh, the grass smelled alive, and as I sniffed around, I noticed a faint glow in the distance. It wasn’t too bright, but it felt… peaceful. Then I saw Him again — the Man with a hole in His hand.
The first time I saw Him was when Sus and I encountered those ghosties (don’t ask). The second time was in my dream, right before a coconut nearly hit my head. But this time, He was just there — calm, kind, glowing.
I was about to call Sus when, of course, she saw Him first.
“Loooord! You’re here!” she shouted dramatically, sprinting toward Him. Before I could even roll my eyes, she had already plopped herself on the swing beside Him.
“Lord,” she said breathlessly, “I saw a beautiful pair of gold stilettos — like the kind angels wear at weddings!”
Jesus smiled gently. “How are you, my child? You seem happy today. I’m glad you’re this joyful.” Then He chuckled. “Ah, stilettos and gold — must be nice… but no, Sus.”
Susan Narrating
Sunday morning, I woke up so excited. The weather looked perfect, and Oishi was nibbling at the hem of my pajamas — his usual way of saying ‘feed me, peasant.’
But instead of feeding him, I opened my laptop. I’d been eyeing this pair of gold stilettos for a week now. The kind that makes you feel like you’re walking on a runway. I could already imagine it: one, two, walk, flip hair, slay.
Still, there was this small voice whispering, Don’t buy it.
So I prayed — but not exactly to ask for guidance. I prayed to convince God to support my decision. (Don’t judge me. You’ve done it too.)
After my “prayer,” I opened the window, felt the morning breeze, and decided to go to the park. I fed Oishi — he ate like he hadn’t eaten in weeks and even burped in front of me. Disrespectful, but adorable.
At the park, everything was calm. The wind, the trees, the sound of children playing. Then Oishi barked and ran toward the playground. I followed… and that’s when I felt it — peace. That quiet, steady kind of peace that feels like a hug.
And there He was. Sitting on the swing.
You just know it’s Him. Gentle yet powerful. Approachable but with authority. I ran toward Him, half crying, half giggling. “Loooord! You’re here!”
I sat beside Him, still catching my breath. “Lord, I’ve been eyeing this pair of gold stilettos. They’re so pretty — like shoes angels wear at weddings!”
He smiled, asked how I’d been, how Oishi was, and then said softly, “They’re beautiful, but no, Sus.”
And just like that, my heart cracked like a dry biscuit.
Oishi Narrating Again
On the way home, Sus kept sobbing. She hugged me like a pillow.
“Oishiii… Jesus said no. But I really, really like the shoes.”
When we got home, she opened her laptop again and clicked “Buy Now.”
I said, “Sus, Big Guy said no.”
She ignored me.
A few hours later, the doorbell rang. She screamed like she’d won the lottery.
The package had arrived — she even paid for express shipping.
When she opened the box, her eyes sparkled like a child’s first trip to Disneyland. She lifted the shoes, sniffed them, and started rubbing them like a magic lamp.
“They’re so beautiful! I still don’t understand why Jesus said no.”
Later that day, she went to a party with Brenda and Yohanes — wearing those golden heels. The problem? She couldn’t even walk properly.
“I can handle it, Oishiii!” she said, wobbling toward the door like a baby deer on stilts.
A few hours later… “Oishiii! I can’t handle it!”
Brenda and Yohanes carried her in like wounded soldiers. Her feet were swollen and red. “I thought I could handle it,” she winced. “Now I understand why Jesus said nope. Oishiii, don’t pour too much alcohol!”
She couldn’t go to work for three days. Kept saying she regretted not listening.
When she finally recovered, we went back to the park that evening.
There He was again — sitting on the swing, peaceful as always.
Sus walked over, face full of remorse.
“Lord,” she sighed, “I still bought the gold shoes… right after we talked. I thought I could handle it. I didn’t understand why You said no.”
But instead of scolding her (as I totally would have), Jesus smiled and said,
“Let’s start over. This time, listen. Keep praying. Discern, okay, Sus?”
Sus nodded like a toddler, then hugged Him tight. He hugged her back.
And me? I nibbled at the edge of His robe — just to join the moment.
We all laughed.
Still Rising, Still Barking. 🐾🔥
✍️ Writer’s Note
Most of us are like Susan — we keep insisting even when God says no. We rely on our own understanding, thinking we know what’s best. But sometimes, that no is God’s protection — a gentle way of saying, “Not yet, because you are not ready,” or “That’s not for you.”
If she had the “training,” meaning maturity, readiness, or even discernment, maybe the answer could’ve been yes later on. But in that moment, Jesus knew she’d get hurt — literally blistered feet and all.
Let’s learn to trust Him more, even when His answer isn’t what we wanted. Because His no always leads to something better.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
— Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)
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