Rosie the Road Warrior

Rosie the Road Warrior, my GPS, and I were going from my home in North Carolina to Fort Payne, AL for a family reunion. I was nervous about depending on Rosie again. Earlier, when I had taken a trip to my son's house in Kentucky, she took me to the back roads of nowhere and dumped me. Fortunately, there were people at the end of the gravel road who helped me find my way out. But, in the end, I was willing to let the past go and trust again.

So Rosie and I headed towards Asheville. Right away I noticed she was taking me on the scenic route over the mountains. I enjoyed her choice because of the colorful landscapes we were pasting. Still I felt nervous about her leadership skills so early on I stopped to buy a road map just in case. As Rosie directed me to exit to a new road, I checked the map to confirm her direction.

Then it happened! The four-lane divided highway suddenly went to a two-lane road without warning. Flashbacks of my trip to Kentucky came to mind as I became anxious a gravel road would be next. Yet the road beckoned me to go forward so I cautiously went on.  As I traveled the curvy road, a wide creek appeared. It was so beautiful and peaceful. I had to stop and take a few pictures. It was then the Lord began to speak to my heart.

“This trip is a lot like your spiritual walk with Me. You walk nervously through life hoping you don’t go the wrong way. Your lack of trust keeps you up tight and you can’t enjoy the journey I have planned for you. Stop 'faithlessly' checking up on your direction all the time. Relax and start experiencing My loving Presence along the way.  Know in your heart.....I am big enough to get you to where you need to go and wise enough to redirect you if you take a wrong turn.

I got ya covered Mary Jane…I got ya covered.”

When I got back in the car, I was more relaxed and ready to enjoy the rest of the journey. With new resolve, I determined I would intentionally trust the direction I felt lead to go with a more peaceful heart. Wrong turns will happen but God has me covered.

I arrived at my destination safe and sound. Rosie had done a great job. The fears of her directing me wrongly were forgotten. I gained a valuable lesson along the way. All was well with my soul.

Do you have fears of making a wrong turn? You are not alone. Most people feel that way from time to time while they are seeking the Lord for His direction along their way. But take heart. God is big enough to get you to where you need to go and wise enough to redirect you, if you happen to take a wrong turn. 

So relax and trust.....God’s got ya covered.

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.                                      Psalm 37: 23

Me Again

Here I am again, Lord.

Troubles I can’t face.

I tried to do it my way

And I didn’t use my faith.

It started out so innocent.

I thought it wouldn’t hurt.

If I took care of this and that

Save faith for “bigger” works.

All seemed fine for quite some time.

The way looked perfectly clear to me!

My wisdom helped me forge ahead.

My pride brought up the rear.

But today was the day of reckoning.

My plots and plans were revealed.

What my way had really cost me

And the path for me to heal.

So here I am again Lord,

With problems I have made.

I am asking for your forgiveness

And to help me find my way.

When I first wrote this poem and centered it from the left hand side, I noticed something. The shape of the poem became like an old-fashion oil lamp. When I began to imagine it lit,

 this verse came to mind:

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Psalms 119: 105

When you have troubles of your own making, where do you go to find the answers and the strength to see them through?

I would like to challenge you to do three things:

First, I challenge you to pray before you do anything farther. 

Not only will prayer open up the communication lines between you and God but He can also reassure you of His faithfulness, love and mercy. God is always there with you but He also waits for your permission to initiate His counsel.

Second, I challenge you to go to the word of God for His wisdom and direction. Sometimes, I go to the concordance and other times, I may go to a book of “God’s Promises” or to other books which teach biblical principles. If I need help interrupting the scriptures or putting my plan of action together, I go to someone who will be honest with me and not just tell me what I want to hear. Beginning to search for the Truth coupled with faith brings about answers if we search with our whole heart.

Last, I challenge you to wait before the Lord so the Holy Spirit can inspire your thoughts and guide you through the process of healing and/or restoring yourself from the messy situation. God usually does everything step by step so listen carefully and then do your best to obey what He is telling you to do. An honest effort before the Lord will keep Him ever present.

Troubles, although hard to go through, 

have always brought me closer to God. 

And that, my friends, is a true blessing.