Mike and I were on our way to his appointment in Durham when the GPS rerouted us off the highway and through a neighborhood. Mike was questioning the change of route and I told him I trust GPS. I shared with him that about four years ago my cousin and I were driving to Florida when the GPS rerouted us from the interstate through neighborhoods for miles and miles! We followed, not understanding. All over the news that night was how the traffic on the interstate was backed up for hours due to wildfires. As I told Mike, because of that, I trust the GPS. Then I said, "that's a blog."
This has been a hard two weeks and it has definitely not gone like I expected or planned. There are moments that I trust my GPS quicker than I trust Jesus! That is what I learned Monday! I come around but I am talking about when things first happen - I struggle first before I turn to Jesus. In life we are always, always, always going to be rerouted. And probably most of the time we do not understand. Isn't there a Scripture about that? Proverbs 3: 5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." According to Google, trust is "firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something." And when we believe in something that we do not see that is our faith.
I look back on my journey and I can tell you I was definitely rerouted a couple of times! I did not understand but I trusted. Now I can tell you what a blessing it was. I am stronger because of it. I love deeper because of it. I am more grateful because of it. I love Jesus more because of it. My faith is stronger because of it! I love life more because of it! I have more fun because of it. I laugh more because of it! My life is better because of it! I am a better disciple because of it! When I got rerouted, I prayed, "Let me look back on this time as a bump in the road with many blessings." And that prayer got answered. Sometimes when we are rerouted, we are given the most beautiful gift, maybe it is a garden route that we would not have seen flying down the highway.
God is already in all of our tomorrows. He knows our way, and He has a plan. Jeremiah 29: 11, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." We need to look back on our lives and remember God's faithfulness! He is faithful beyond belief! He sees the big picture so He is the better Guide. When we don't really know which way to go, He can bring wisdom and clarity to us. His timing is always perfect! Psalm 31: 15, "My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me." He loves us so much and will never leave us. Deuteronomy 31: 6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
I leave you with a quote someone shared with me on my blog the day of Mike's surgery. "May you discover all that this time has for you to learn. The rabbis tell us that all of the Psalms begin with a sigh and end with a song." Amen.