Have you ever had one of those days that left you in total frustration? On a recent trip, I experienced just that! We were driving down the busy California freeway where traffic, to Midwesterners like me, is crazy! My dear husband was driving and assuring all of us he knew where he was going…red flag! Our drive-time, coming and going, should’ve taken about forty-five minutes but ended up being four hours! May I add that these were four of the longest hours ever - childbirth was easier! There was one traffic jam after another so Rod kept taking alternate routes while still telling us he knew where he was going.
Now, I have a question, and it’s one of the mysteries of the universe - What is it with men and directions? Is it a secret sin, that women aren’t aware of, to ask for directions?! Is it a male-ego thing? Is it an admission of weakness that you may need help after all? What is it - I HAVE TO KNOW! When I get to Heaven, I’m going to ask God about this but I think He’ll answer, “This is why I created women because Adam needed help getting around the garden and wouldn’t ask Me for directions!” I am certain that the GPS navigation systems were created by a frustrated woman but not even technology could help me. We had a GPS in the car and on our cell phones but my dear hubby would not use them – HE KNEW WHERE WE WERE…really?!
By hour two, I wanted to scream out the window. I tried deep breaths, praying, more deep breaths and nothing worked! Austin started singing “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall”! I know it’s not too spiritual but desperate times call for desperate measures! And yes, he got through the entire song! I wanted to take one of those bottles and knock it over my husband’s head by hour three! I realize that it’s way too human to feel this utter frustration, but at least I am honest. Finally, after a tearful plea, we called for an address and loaded the GPS…thank you, God! Not long after, much to my amazement, we arrived back at our hotel, and I wanted to kiss the ground and never get in a car again especially with…well, you know! I was spent! Then, my niece, Amy, said, “Well the main thing is that we are all safe, and God could’ve kept us from an accident - you never know.” Hmm…now I feel bad! Those freeways are dangerous, we were lost, and native Californians drive a lot faster than we Ohioans!
Could it be that there was something from this madness that I could be thankful for? Was the hand of God at work? I remembered Dr. Sumrall always saying that any delay is of God. That truth has kept me from so much frustration, in the past, I just didn’t think about it this time. God’s plan is never on our time-table because He knows that we need to, “Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:4) The New Living Translation says it this way, “For you know when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” My wise friend always says, “To take away pain is to take away growth,” and I always reply, “Then I am 50 feet tall!”
I know our road trip was an insignificant thing in comparison to real-life challenges, and I’ve had my share, but God will use anything to remind us and teach us. He used a talking donkey (and no, I’m not referring to my husband here!) in the story of Balaam (Numbers 22:21). Interestingly enough, Balaam was being stubborn and resisting the direction of the Lord. God sent an angel to block the road but only the donkey could see it and stopped. Finally, after Balaam was beating the donkey (in a fit of road rage perhaps), God gave it the ability to speak. I can definitely identify with the donkey’s first words, “What did I do to deserve this!” I love God’s unconventional teaching methods! For me, He used a busy freeway, a typical male, and even “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” - but I got it! Lesson learned and message heard…loud and clear!
