Monday, February 19th, 2024, 1:44 PM. My phone rings. Hmm, it's an unknown number. Suspecting it's a work call, I put down my lunch, pause the show I'm watching, and answer.
"Hello, is this Laura?"
"Yes, Hi, how can I help you?"
"It's Jenny. I was wondering if you'd had a chance to look at my email? Or if you'd seen my Instagram messages?"
"No, sorry, I've been on my lunch break. I can check now though."
"That would be great. I'm from the BBC One show Sunday Morning Live. We're doing a segment on faith and fashion and would love for you to be on the show this Sunday."
My jaw dropped. Was this a scam? Were these emails legit? Was this really happening? Out of nowhere, someone was asking me to be on Sunday Morning Live, breakfast TV? Honestly, the rest of the conversation was a bit of a blur.
"Where will it be?" I asked.
"Our studio in London. We would need you there for 6 AM. Will you be able to make it?" she responded.
London is a 3-4 hour train ride away, I thought. "Is it okay if I check trains and get back to you?"
"Yes, no problem. If you could let me know your answer today, that would be great," said Jenny. "Talk soon."
Unaware of what was going on, I messaged the family group chat. "Guys! Someone wants me to be on TV." A series of excited chatter filled up my WhatsApp inbox, with questions about when, where, and how.
That's when it happened. Doubt crept in. Can you even afford it? This is an unplanned expense! Trains won't get you there on time. Where will you stay? Is this even worth the hassle?
Knowing the budget was tight, I asked for help with the travel expenses. (For those of you who don't know, a train ticket to London can actually be more expensive than some holidays to surrounding European countries!) The emails went back and forth, with rejections and uncertainties as replies. I felt the opportunity slipping through my fingers.
A day later, the response came back: "We can pay for your hotel if you cover transportation."
I prodded, "If I can find somewhere to stay, can you pay for the train ticket instead?"
"Yes, that will be no problem, but we need to know by 2PM today."
"Ok, thanks, I'll get back to you," I stuttered. It was 9AM. The window was tight, but I had to try.
God has blessed me with such a wide network of individuals. There were people on my radar I knew to call. I sent out a WhatsApp status calling for all my London friends to "hit me up." I sent a few direct messages and waited for the response. Although willing, one friend had no space for a lodger, another friend lived two hours away from the studio, and the last friend I contacted didn't reply.
As the hours passed, my faith wavered. I gave up. At 1PM, I was so distressed and conflicted that I decided to do something totally unrelated: learn a new skill and forget all about the opportunity. I ate lunch, watched my lunchtime show, and looked at the time: 1:35PM.
"It's no use," I told my friend. "I have such a busy week, I don't think I can stomach traveling for 10 hours for a 2-minute segment on TV!"
"Don't let the distance put you off. You are welcome to stay at mine. I okayed it with my landlord and you can have my bed."
"No, honestly, I'm done. I can't take it. There's just too much to figure out with logistics." "Think of how many millions of people will see you, lighting up the world! Let's continue praying about it."
Overwhelmed and defeated, tears welled up in my eyes as I typed the email, ready to let this incredible opportunity slip away. The 2PM deadline had come and gone, and while the excitement of being on national TV lingered, a part of me accepted that this wasn't meant to be.
I closed my laptop in frustration and muttered these words to God.
“You gave me this opportunity, but why is it so hard? God I can’t understand! If this is where You want me to be then make a way. I leave it in Your hands, I surrender.”
4:08PM: “Sorry I missed your call, I was in a meeting. Yeah that's fine you can stay at mine on Saturday.” God did it. I couldn’t help but laugh. He was working things out before my eyes. A close friend, who lives closest to the studio in London was the answer all along.
I grabbed my phone and called Jenny back as fast as I could.
“Hi Jenny, it’s Laura. I’m sorry, I know it’s late but I found somewhere to stay! Would you still like me to come?”
“That is perfect! Yes! Ok i’ll get everything sorted, that’s amazing!”
The rest of the story was less drama, more blessings, but you’re going to have to wait for the next blog post to find out all about that!
When was the last time God opened an impossible door for you? Let’s talk! Share your story in the comments below.