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Home For A While
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Home At Last
I woke up on Monday not feeling well. I had been battling a cold for days and it had taken a turn for the worse. I was dreading two days of driving home and just wanted to stay in bed.
I began my day as usual with my prayers, Bible study, and mediations. I took a cold pill. I had a full two days planned that involved driving 6 hours a day, hiking, talking to people, attractions, scenic drives, writing, and fun.
While praying, I realized that God was telling me to just drive home in the most direct route. I do not give up fun easily so I argued a little. I had plenty of cold pills and knew I could limp along with my health. I was getting worried about talking to people because I was losing my voice.
As I was leaving my hotel, I called my uncle. He had suggested the particular scenic drive that I was about to skip so I must have wanted him to talk me into it.
Before I could even tell him why I was calling, he heard the sickness in my voice. Alarmed, he said, “Are you sick?”
I admitted I was not feeling well. I told him that I wanted to take the scenic drive but that I had prayed about it and wondered if I should take it.
Instead of talking me into it, he said, “Cheryle, you prayed about this. Your instincts have gotten you this far. Trust them and drive straight home. There will be other trips and you have seen plenty of beauty.” He even suggested that we might visit there together some time.
I sighed and turned the car to the interstate. I had plenty of books on tape and spiritual tapes and settled into driving and listening.
I called my mother and we had a nice long talk. I started to stop a couple of places and she encouraged me to just get home. I was feeling worse and my voice was getting weaker. I realized I should even stop talking on the phone.
A couple of more times, I started to stop somewhere but felt God was telling me to keep driving. I obeyed.
My plan was to get south of Atlanta and stop for the night. I did not want to be dreading the Atlanta traffic the next morning.
God had other plans for me. Little did I know that he was orchestrating my steps for a wonderful surprise he had for me. Had I not followed each step, I would have missed my surprise.
Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course,but the LORD determines his steps.
(from New International Version)
For the entire 4 months, I had followed the same pattern. I would drive until dinnertime, find a hotel, and then eat. I was worried that hotels would fill up so I always found a hotel before I had dinner.
Just before I got to Atlanta, I did a very strange thing. I suddenly felt led to stop for dinner. I was not particularly hungry because the time had changed and my body was still on central time.
I argued for a moment but felt strongly lead to stop. I rationalized the direction I was getting. I decided that since I was sick, I was probably being led to eat earlier so I would not also be driving with potentially low blood sugar. I obeyed, stopped, and ate.
Again, God was planning my surprise. The real reason I had to stop and have dinner was that I had to wait on my surprise.
I got in the car and immediately dialed my husband. He was flying home that night and usually flew through Charlotte. By my calculations, I figured his plane should be landing in Charlotte and I wanted to confirm that he was on the ground.
He answered and said he was still sitting on the plane. He asked where I was. Just as he asked, I saw a sign that announced I was arriving in Atlanta. I told him I was just getting to Atlanta. He laughed and said that we were both in Atlanta at the same time. I could not believe it. I thought he was in Charlotte.
I got so excited. I asked where his luggage was. He had not checked it so it was with him. I asked him if he wanted me to pick him up and travel to Jacksonville together. He reminded me that he had to go to work the next day and could not spend the night.
I wanted to be home. I knew that with him driving, I felt like driving home that night. I assured him I was up to driving it all the way home. He said that if I was sure I did not mind another six hours of driving, to come get him.
I was 15 minutes from the airport and it was on my way to Jacksonville. I drove up the curb at the very second he got to the curb. Neither of us had to wait even a minute and the extra drive only took me 10 minutes out of the way.
We were like two small children who had just been told they were going to Disney World. We suddenly had six hours to spend together. I would be arriving in town a day early and was not going to have to spend all day Tuesday driving. We knew we had been given a very sweet gift and neither of us could stop grinning. On the drive home, we listened to the tapes on spiritual gifts and had a wonderful time discussing our gifts with each other.
As I thought about it, I realized that God had been planning this surprise all day. He had given me several very clear directions. He confirmed them through my uncle.
If I had gone on that scenic drive, I would not have been to Atlanta in time to pick him up.
If I had stopped at any of the tourist attractions, I wouldn’t have been there in time.
If I had driven straight through Atlanta and not stopped for dinner, I would have been an hour past Atlanta when Bob landed.
Neither Bob nor I could have imagined this surprise.
I did not know Bob was flying through Atlanta. He did not know the specific route I was driving.
God knew everything and brought everything together at exactly the right moment. I entered Atlanta as he landed. I drove up to the airport as he came out the door of the airport.
1 Corinthians 2:9
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"-
(from New International Version)
We arrived home just three hours after Bob would have normally gotten home. I arrived home an entire day early. I spent a quiet day in prayer, unpacking, and writing stories.
The ironic part is that I could not call and tell anyone I was home. I could not even tell anyone this story. I am completely without a voice today. I decided to write my story instead.
God has so many gifts planned for us. His surprises are endless. Our job is to be able to hear his voice and to follow the directions.
All day I found myself arguing with that “still small voice” that kept urging me forward. I wondered if I had really heard God but knew I had. I followed directions. This was an incredible lesson to me. I do not want to “drive right past” any surprises God has planned for me.
1 Kings 19:11-13
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
KJV
God speaks to us in that “small still voice.” Wake up in the mornings and get quiet. Spend time with Him so you can tune in to that “small still voice.” Let him speak to you in the stillness of the morning.
Ask Him to guide your steps all day. Ask for the power to carry out His will.
When you feel him leading you, trust and follow. The leading comes in that quiet gentle voice.
Thank Him when He surprises you.
When you see His surprises, your faith will grow. The next time you follow Him, it will be easier.
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