I visited my parents over the weekend - its a beautiful drive through the farms of Kentucky and then the winding roads and mountains of Tennessee. Road construction is a constant even along the country roads lined with pasture sprinkled with horses, cows, and goats... and as Kellie called them as a child - all those "cow houses". My google maps companion always gave me warning a mile ahead of any turn that would be necessary as I wound through several downtown squares... including a couple of "round-a-bouts".
My trip down on Friday was uneventful - although following a new route brought to me by my electronic companion - route #3 I chose.
Headed back on the gorgeous Sunday afternoon, I could not convince my friend to produce the same route again. Determined it gave the best option, my resolve was sure... I could remember those turns and twists and round-a-bouts... Living in Kentucky for 25 years now, I had made this familiar journey numerous times, so my confidence was high. Distracted by a radio gameshow, I was headed down a well-known road at the time.... when I saw that glaring arrowed sign above. Quickly referring to my guide, there was no mention of a detour. Remembering this point in my journey just two days earlier, this didn't make sense - there was no detour just hours ago.
My guide.. the trusted google map friend said nothing about this turn. This guide has been correct and honestly, not led me astray if I simply followed the words. Distraction of the clear sign, my uncertainty, and then the ultimate decision-maker... the car in front of me followed the orange arrow. So, I followed.. realizing I was following that car into definite uncharted, the proverbial "road less traveled" place. From my directionally challenged vantage, the clarity of whether I was even headed toward my northern destination became my concern.
I continued to trust the guy in the white car ahead of me. About a mile into our twisted road parade, his left blinker began to flash as he turned into, apparently, his own driveway. Now I had no leader. I continued on determined to persevere and surely... eventually... meet the intended path. At some point, the realization came that I was seeing the highway I needed -- surely the intersection would occur soon. I could see it... I had made it... So impressed that I followed my instinct... and the guy in the white car... just over this next hill...
Just over this next hill... was an even bigger sign..
Not only was the road closed... there was no road. I could see the highway, but I could not get to it. My only choice... retrace... back by the house where the guy in the white car lived - he was out in the yard, but I totally avoided embarrassing eye contact. Surely he was laughing at the woman in the green van.
At any moment, I expected to hear the words... "you should have listened to me" uttered from my electronic companion. He just waited for me to get back on track, then began offering me which way to turn... no condemnation... :)
And the reminder - simple as it is.... my guide, my leader, my God is trustworthy. How often do I veer just a little... often my plan makes more sense, the obstacles seem insurmountable, the alternate "leader" offers a reasonable path.
You see, the original road wasn't closed at all - that detour sign was intended for an insignificant (at least for my purpose) side road... just for those neighbors of the guy in the white car.
I made it home... a little later than expected, but in the process, I was again reminded that our God is simply ... trustworthy ... and patient...
Joshua 6 offer a shining example of God's direction for the Israelite army on how to contend with the thick walls of Jericho. Let's plan to chat about that next week - the story is a perfect reminder of the story of God's redemption and His ultimate purpose...
Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! Joshua 6:16
and then
When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed. Joshua 6:20
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