"In 100 yards, turn left. Then make an immediate left. And make an immediate left."
Um? I couldn't have heard that right.
"In 100 yards, turn left. Then make an immediate left. And make an immediate left," she said again.
What? The calm, computerized voice of my GPS was asking me to turn around. Seriously? In a moment of panic (what exit is it??) I flipped the GPS on to show me the way home from Charlotte yesterday. I was tired and busy wrestling with God, afraid I'd miss where I was going I thought a co-pilot would be good.
Then my co-pilot lost her mind. First sign of trouble, that computer had me headed west. Funny, when I left home last Thursday Virginia was north of North Carolina. Second sign of trouble, the request for three immediate left turns on a divided highway. Donuts?? I think the NC humidity and frizzed her little wires; she wanted me to do donuts on a divided highway.
I was beginning to get extremely anxious. "I just wanna go home!" I was whining out loud.
Barreling down the road I was almost in tears. I had to get back to 85 -- wherever that was from here. And point my little silver van in the direction of Virginia -- hopefully that was still north. I crested a small hill as my blood pressure was skyrocketing and my heart beating in my ears...meltdown was coming.
Then a small little yellow sign on the side of the road caught my eye. There among the overgrown weeds and discarded junk was a new shiny little sign.
"You Need Jesus"
Who says God doesn't give you road signs? Huh?
I laughed out loud and began to pray. Oh Father, I hear You. Help me. Please. I am lost without You, even with computer guidance.
Within a few minutes there was a sign for 29 North. I followed it and that in turn brought me back to 85 North.
Oh how pleased I was to be back amongst the trucks and wide lanes. With the music blaring I was singing and dancing and just driving along. Going over the events of the weekend, God began to remind me that we have unfinished business.
I know, Father. I know what you want of me, but I can't.
No answer.
I don't want to write that...don't want to splay open my heart for others to judge me. I don't want to be rejected for my story of failure and loss -- haven't I had that enough?
No response.
Father, I don't want to. But if it is what you want... (I began to cry, again) I will.
Suddenly my rear view mirror was filled with the front grill of this semi that apparently thought I should move. And in the breath before I got angry and told the truck driver off, I saw the sign. To the left of the license plate hung a red and white sign written backward so I could read it in the mirror.
"Jesus Loves You"
I love You too. I'm scared and nervous, but I'm ready.
***I will share my AWESOME She Speaks moment tomorrow and Wednesday. If you went, please leave a link to yours...I'd love to hear about them.
11 comments:
Hi - I found you through Lysa's blog. I wasn't at the conference so I am vicariously blog hopping.
I love your story about God's signs. Isn't He amazing?
Oh, and your wonky GPS. We had a similar experience while we were visiting my sister in the the East Coast. (Maybe it's an East Coast thing?)It told us to turn left which would have been okay except it wanted us to turn to oncoming traffic on a one way street! I guess she was ticked that we didn't follow her earlier promptings. Then when they went to Canada, it told them to turn right - good thing they were paying attention or they would have ended up in the water. That was one psychotic GPS.
Hello Wendy!
I,too, found you from your comment on Lysa's blog. Not being able to attend She Speaks myself, I am eagerly reading reports on the blogs of those of you who did!
I have read several of your posts and have been blessed. I will be coming back tomorrow to read more.
God bless!
Marilyn....in Mississippi
Bless your precious heart! I am so sorry about the GPS! But, God is good--so very good! This was a great post, roomie! You write beautifully! Thank you for being so sweet and patient with me--when I was searching for lost papers, keys, etc! And, especially for being so sweet when I had you set the alarm so I could get up early and run!! YOu are precious...God has known that since Day 1!!
Love ya!
Susan
Oops! I posted too about She Speaks. Here's my linky thingie!
http://scrunnermom.blogspot.com/
I think it must be a Charlotte thing - my GPS acted crazy too. But, I turned it off and told the Lord He knew how to get me where I needed to be (I wasn't driving straight home, I was going to my grandparents house a different way). When I turned everything over to the Lord, everything went fine. See how good God is!
Anyway, thanks for your comment on my blog. And, I'm looking forward to getting to know ya as well!
Sanya
Go where HE sends you Write your story. Share what He is teaching you. Others need to hear.
God spoke to me in the same way this weekend. I knew it was coming, the talk about obeying His will for writing something that is so personal and intimate. I haven't wanted to share because of how others will look at me, what they'll say... but He's drawing me out to realize that I must. I will be praying for you as He leads you down this road.
Here's a link to my first post about She Speaks...She... Speechless
I think you'll feel good about yourself after you hear what I did. I can't blame the Tom Tom...I did it. I was thinking Charlotte and oh yes, my riding buddy and I arrive at 8 AM at Embassy Suites in downtown Charlotte. yipes, and to make things worse this was my second year to attend. We started our journey at 5:30 AM. She was kind, but don't you know she was not happy?
I have a post on my blog (www.thrivechristian.blogspot.com)about my introduction to Mica Campbell and all that transpired.
The whole conference was life changing. Meeting you and being blessed to have continuing time with you in the writing critique group is a wonderful new blessing in my life.
I love your blog. Well done!!!
Oh, wasn't the conference incredible!!! I am still overflowing...
I love this post - because this is EXACTLY how God seems to talk to me so much of the time...
Love,
Jess
Wendy, you are not allowed to write heartwrenching stories like this, without warning me NOT to read them while I'm at work! Now, I'm sitting here with tears on my cheek - how embarrasing. Oh well, I guess I shouldn't be ashamed of tears of love for you and God.
Thank you so much for sharing this. Wonder where I can get a sign like that for Jorge's truck, and if his company would allow him to use it!
Oh Wendy, I laughed my mascara off! You are a nut and I love you!
Luann Prater
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