He looked at me, his big blue eyes as wide as saucers, his little boy voice trying to sound brave as he said, “It’s okay if we don’t make it to my football game, Mom…but do you know how to get home?”
Fast-forward fifteen years. After hearing of my latest misadventure, my now grown blue-eyed son simply responded, “You did it again?”
I will be the first one to admit that I am “directionally impaired.” I think that sounds so much better than saying, “I get lost a lot,” but, well…I get lost a lot. I would have to say that these two incidents, however, were the most notable due to the distance between my location and my intended destination.
I was on my way home from a conference, my brain on overload from all the things I learned and all the things I wanted to implement. Maybe that’s why I missed my exit, or maybe because it’s just not a route I take very often. Who knows? What I do know is that as I was driving I began to realize that nothing looked familiar. I pulled off on the next exit – which were few and far between – and located my map, which I keep in my vehicle for just such emergencies. I was asking myself, “How did I get here?” and, “How do I get back on track?”
I find myself asking the same questions in regards to my life. Occasionally I feel overwhelmed, and have to ask myself, “How did I get here?” Upon examination I generally find that quite a few things have crept into my life while not much has been withdrawn.
The answer to “How do I get back on track?” is always found in God’s Word, my roadmap for life. James 1:5 tells us that "if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault..."
My life is full of good things. I just need to determine which of those things should be a priority. Thankfully, God has all the answers. I just need to be still and listen for them just like I needed to stop and look at the map. If I’m to arrive at my intended destination, I first need to know which way to proceed.
We never did make it to the football game that day many years ago, due to the fact that the game was in Fenville (along the lakeshore) and we were in Nashville (which, I learned just that day, is in the center of the state.) I was able to reassure my son, however, that no matter where we were, I could always find my way home.
Fast-forward fifteen years. After hearing of my latest misadventure, my now grown blue-eyed son simply responded, “You did it again?”
I will be the first one to admit that I am “directionally impaired.” I think that sounds so much better than saying, “I get lost a lot,” but, well…I get lost a lot. I would have to say that these two incidents, however, were the most notable due to the distance between my location and my intended destination.
I was on my way home from a conference, my brain on overload from all the things I learned and all the things I wanted to implement. Maybe that’s why I missed my exit, or maybe because it’s just not a route I take very often. Who knows? What I do know is that as I was driving I began to realize that nothing looked familiar. I pulled off on the next exit – which were few and far between – and located my map, which I keep in my vehicle for just such emergencies. I was asking myself, “How did I get here?” and, “How do I get back on track?”
I find myself asking the same questions in regards to my life. Occasionally I feel overwhelmed, and have to ask myself, “How did I get here?” Upon examination I generally find that quite a few things have crept into my life while not much has been withdrawn.
The answer to “How do I get back on track?” is always found in God’s Word, my roadmap for life. James 1:5 tells us that "if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault..."
My life is full of good things. I just need to determine which of those things should be a priority. Thankfully, God has all the answers. I just need to be still and listen for them just like I needed to stop and look at the map. If I’m to arrive at my intended destination, I first need to know which way to proceed.
We never did make it to the football game that day many years ago, due to the fact that the game was in Fenville (along the lakeshore) and we were in Nashville (which, I learned just that day, is in the center of the state.) I was able to reassure my son, however, that no matter where we were, I could always find my way home.
Thank you, Father, for always being there to guide me and welcome me home!
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What a powerful illustration! I especially appreciated your line, "My life is full of good things. I just need to determine which of those things should be a priority." ~ I can definitely relate!! Thanks for sharing!
Sweet blessings ~
Cindy :)
Was this in Michigan? My in laws live in Nashville mi and it really is the middle of nowhere! Beautiful illustration!
Thanks ladies! Yes, this was in Michigan and Nashville is really out there, especially when I was looking for the lakeshore!