A Journey, Diverted

When I was 20 there was a Christian conference I desperately wanted to go to in inner city Baltimore.

The speaker was phenomenal but I just couldn’t work out the long drive without missing work. So I had this brilliant idea: I’ll take the late night bus and peacefully sleep, then wake up in Baltimore…what could possibly go wrong?

As you can imagine- everything.

No one at the bus station bothered to inform me that the late night bus also delivered packages to every rural no-name town in Pennsylvania.


Sleep was disrupted but still possible… 
That was until, with a slide and a jolt, the dog went sideways, flying off the road.

I woke up very disoriented looking at a huge bank of snow. The driver confessed that it was his first time driving in inclement weather, as a few of us left on the bus looked at each other dazed and baffled.

The young driver then suggested we best hike through the snow to a house up ahead and call for help. So there I was, in my cute new suit and red pumps… frozen… hiking through the snow.

Amazingly, the tow truck came and after enjoying some lovely hot cocoa from the sleepy, yet friendly, locals and we were on our way.

However, in what seemed like only an hour, the bus had slid off the road again. Bus driver crying, it was at this point another woman and I began laughing… hysterically.

Despite the laughter, I was categorically not enjoying the journey.

Though now my middle aged self looks back at my idealistic naïve 20 year old self and finds it all so very funny. 

Ultimately- I did make it to Baltimore just fine.


Somehow 30 years later so many events in my life remind me of that ill-fated bus ride.
Parents suddenly ill,
A child diagnosed with Autism,
A spouse calling it quits.

 
My journey- suddenly diverted.
Left alongside of the road, cold and disoriented.

The “ride” hasn’t turned out as I expected.
But ultimately? I believe I’ll make it to “Baltimore” just fine.

Why? Because God says,
“I know the plans I have for you…plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

 
I have learned through life that I can trust God and take Him at His Word no matter what the circumstances. One day, I’ll even look back on my current journey- and see God’s hand through it all. Maybe even let out a laugh or two.

 
What about you- has your bus hit a bank? Are you left disoriented and disappointed?

 Take it to God today- 
He is there, 
He has a plan,
It is good.

Trust Him with your journey today, and keep pressing on!

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Word of the Day

Father, Be the one defining constant on my journey, my compass, my protection and the reason I can laugh along the way. May you be sentry that holds the lamp that leads me in the darkness; the love and the peace that grounds me when things don’t go exactly to plan.  You shape my destiny in the best of times and you have a plan for me in the worst.  Help me to silently trust in your loving kindness that carefully holds me steady. In Your Name, Amen.

Prayer

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” Jeremiah 29:11

Author: Karen Beauvais