February 21 – I had a piece of paper that needed three different signatures in three different buildings.  To me, it sounded perfect for interoffice mail.  To my colleagues, it sounded like a fool’s errand.

I wrote instructions.  I put it in an envelope, said a little prayer, and sent it on its way.

Early March – My colleagues expressed concern.  Where had the document gone?  I said not to worry, have faith.

March 16 – It had been 23 days.  A lifetime for interoffice mail travel.  We needed the document.  My faith was shaken.  My colleagues were concerned.

I jotted a few instant messages.  Was the envelope sitting abandoned in a forgotten stack of mail?  Had it been tossed to the side?

I typed more messages and soon a possibility arose.  Rumor was that the document was on its way home.  We still had our doubts.  We made our backup plans.  We prepared ourselves for the worst, the seemingly inevitable, life without the lost document.  Only a rumor of hope remained.

4 hours later – Something amazing happened.  Something almost unbelievable.  My boss announced that the document had returned home.  All signed and in good order, our tensions eased.

I felt shame.  Why had I lost faith four hours short of the end?  Why had I ceased to believe?

Then a peace washed over me and a smile crossed my face.  That doubt should not be considered shameful, but rather an unexpected gift.  Doubt was something that made success that much sweeter, for success after fear feels that much better, than success that was guaranteed all along.

You can stuff that truism in an interoffice envelope and send it on its way.  Just don’t hold your breath.