Driving in the dark

I'm enjoying a blissfully relaxing weekend with a good friend at her farm. Since it was a five hour drive, I had plenty of time to ponder different aspects of my life. Being severely directionally-challenged, I requested step by step instructions to reach her place. (North, South, East and West don't mean a thing to me unless I have a working compass in my hand.) Just give me landmarks and tell me whether to turn left or right...the better method every time. I'm not sure a gps would even be beneficial to me...but that's another story. I was somewhat worried knowing that the majority of my drive would be made after dark, and the last stretch was mosly county highways and back roads. I trusted that google mapquest knew the way, and with my handy map in hand, I set out on my adventure!

The first part of the drive was fairly simple...just stay on the northbound highway and stay awake. As soon as dusk came, I was immediately more alert, which was a good thing because my phone was dying slowly but surely. I navigated the exits and turns and was very thankful to have arrived in the cities after rush hour was over. As I neared my destination, I called my friend and she graciously agreed to meet me so I could follow her the rest of the way. Knowing that my phone only had a limited number of minutes before giving up the ghost completely, we kept our conversations short and to the point. It was determined that we would meet at a McDonald's just a few miles from her farm.

This last stretch of the journey turned out to be the most difficult for me. I knew I was looking for a county road that would jog over and get me to the next highway, but I had no idea how many miles until I arrived there. By now it was pitch black outside and the only thing I could clearly see were the headlights of the vehicles behind me. The road had abundant curves, and not being familiar with the way, I had no idea where I was going. I had to trust that my friend had given me the right directions and that google was a reliable source...all the while frantically praying that I wasn't driving deeper and deeper into the middle of nowhere.

Then it struck me. This is my life right now. I have no idea where I'm going or what God has for me in the future. Often I feel as if I'm driving blindly through the night not knowing where the next bend in the road will take me. But I can rest assured because I know the One guiding me wants what is best for me. Yes I will experience uncertainties and perhaps fear along the way, but that is only to remind me that I am not the one in charge of my life. In the end I will arrive exactly where my sovereign Father wants me to be. I just need to trust that He knows the way.

Eventually I did arrive at the road I was searching for and my friend was there to show me the way to her house. :)

Relaxing and refreshing

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to fly to Colorado to visit my good friend Regina. It was a much-needed vacation...the winter doldrums were starting to get to me. I promised Regina I would come visit -- so when God  provided a plane ticket and I had enough PTO, I jumped at the chance. Ever since I was a little girl I have loved Colorado, especially the mountains. I find myself in awe that the God who created something so majestic cares so intimately about every detail of my life. His sovereign hand was evident throughout my travels. I was unable to request a seat on the plane ahead of time, but every flight I was afforded the privilege of sitting next to a window. Perhaps a small thing to some, but for me being able to see the sunshine and clouds was colossal.

After a slightly rocky start (airsickness and altitude sickness pack a nasty punch) I settled in and unpacked a little. I just couldn't get over the view -- seeing the mountains made my heart glad! We went for a drive and enjoyed the weather, scenery and just a chance to relax. I had a wonderful time catching up with Regina, meeting her husband and reminiscing about our past adventures.

God knows my heart and my innermost desires and longings. He knows that I am frail and inconsistent. He knows my insecurities, my hopes and dreams. And He knew that I needed not only physical relaxation, but also spiritual refreshing. On Sunday I attended church in CO Springs with Regina and although I have been to this particular church before, I never had the opportunity to sit through a normal service. (Basically because both times I was with chorale, and thus we were the service.) This time I was able to hear the pastor preach a very convicting and thought-provoking message. Not only that, but I was able to interact with the congregation and come back to participate in the evening service. They observed communion, sang favorite hymns, shared testimonies and prayer requests. It was a small fellowship, and it was evident that they cared for one another. Each time a prayer request was shared, another individual would pray specifically by name for that person and their request. I love my church, but I miss the closeness and unity we shared when we were smaller. This was a church that was alive and vibrant, striving to make a difference in their community, and they challenged me to do the same.

Another blessing I had was to be able to go to a chorale concert on Monday night in Pueblo. This is the same church that we sang at when I was in chorale 7 years ago. My parents surprised me by driving from Kansas to come to that concert, so this place held special memories as well. It was amazing to see how the city had grown and the ministry of the church had expanded. God is so good! My four years in chorale were incredible, and I loved singing concerts night after night -- but what a joy to be able to sit under the message and let the chorale minister. I was also able to see many friends and reconnect with people I hadn't seen for a while. :)

I'm back in Iowa again, and thankful for the warmer weather and sunshine, but if God should ever lead me to move to the mountains...let's just say I won't argue! ;)

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gluten-free crepes at coquette creperie!