Last weekend we took a road trip. It wasn’t the glamour of the destination we were looking for–the people at the destination were our priority. We drove five hours to spend time with our son-in-law, daughter, and two grandsons. You know how road trips go…on the way TO, you feel a sense of excitement, anticipating the experience and its payoff. On the way FROM, traveling the very same road can seem like an eternity when you’ve already received the payoff.
I was the passenger on the way TO. But on the way FROM, i was the driver. Since my passenger was snoring from the other seat, I had a lot of time alone in my head. That can be dangerous, or it can be very productive: Thinker’s Choice.
I chose to be productive. It’s Springtime in Texas, and I would have preferred East Texas over West. But that’s not where my people are! I went to see my people and seeing them filled my heart with warmth. That warmth continued to spill over even after we parted.
That warmth reminded me to look for beauty in flat land that at the moment appears to be barren. What I know to be true is this: that land that looks barren has been dormant for the winter, seeds are lying underneath the soil but have not yet sprouted. Spring rains and sunshine will nourish those seeds in the soil, and what looks to be barren at the moment will produce an abundant harvest in its time.
I drove past miles and miles of plain flat land. Every so often, I’d spot a cluster of trees. The land was so flat, you could see the cluster from a mile or two away. What in the world? No trees for miles, then eight or ten clustered together? Oh, but that meant something. A cluster of trees included a house. The truth is: in what looked like the middle of nowhere, someone had planted trees; someone made a home; probably the farmer who tended all that flat land.
[Curved Road]
After about three hours of what appeared to be “nothing”, the road took a curve. Hills began to appear, cactus was now prevalent among mesquite trees–trees everywhere! What a sudden change in the landscape. That flat road curved, then elevated and dropped, then repeated. The five-hour drive wore a different face with the change in the landscape. As I drove further east, the grass really did get greener. The rolling hills became lusher, and I could smell Spring.
I came away with two aha moments.
First, Life is Not Always as it Seems. I’ll be honest with you, and a bit vulnerable here: the past several years have been kind of desert-ish for us. What I mean by that is, we expected this time of life to be lusher but in a lot of ways, it’s been more like those barren plains. But here’s what I know to be true: although our circumstances looked barren, felt empty and seemingly laid dormant at times, God Himself was watching and strategically tending underneath the surface. Life and growth were happening even in the most barren of times. I know this is true, because I am a child of God. He tells us He is always with us (Hebrews 13:5b). He tells us He is for us (2 Chronicles 16:9). He tells us He is enough (2 Corinthians 12:9). He tells us He’ll work it out (Romans 8:28-29).
And God is a Man of His Word. Even when I can’t feel like it’s good because I can’t see the good, I can know: It’s All Good!
My second aha was, “This too shall pass…” Is that in the Bible, or is it just something my Mom always said? She said it so often, I thought it must be scripture. Sure enough, I didn’t find it in scripture, but it is often expressed in wisdom literature throughout history and across cultures. I find it to be true and relevant in much of life.
Surprisingly, on the drive home, I noticed my emotions were somewhat affected by what I was seeling. When I looked at the barren-looking plains, I felt empty. Spotting a cluster of trees would give me hope. Even the cactus brought a sense of life. When the ground swelled into rolling hills, I felt encouraged for something new around the corner.
Are you beginning to think I’m crazy? I’m not. I just had five hours to myself and this is what happened when I really paid attention to what was going on in my head, LOL!
It is normal to be influenced by what is happening right in front of us. “This too shall pass” is true, especially today when things change more rapidly than ever before. Just as I could not predict what was around the next corner, life takes unpredictable twists and turns on a regular basis. What is looming in front today can be distinctly different tomorrow–or three minutes from now.
Here’s the life lesson for “This too shall pass”: Don’t get stuck here. Life will change. Here’s what I know to be true: No need to worry about everyday life; God takes care of His children (Matthew 6:25ff). No need to understand everything that happens; God understands and He’s got you covered (Proverbs 3:5-6). Your action is to give it to God (Philippians 4:6-7).
The road is sure to curve, and something different will be around the corner.
As I rounded the next corner, there were buildings, signal lights, activity, traffic, and life…so much life. Back to reality
Pulling into home brought me to a sense of inhaling, exhaling, finding the rhythm of everyday existence, and I feel comfortable there. There is peace in knowing life is not always what it looks like. There is comfort in expressing “this too shall pass”.
When your road leads you to unexpected places, what brings you to peace and comfort? Share with us in the Comments below.
Yep. The road is sure to hit a curve eventually. Even in those west Texas plains! As long as we keep the car on the road, we won’t miss a thing!!
Pam, your comments remind me of Isaiah 43, when God said, “…I’m doing a new thing…”. I’m totally taking that out of context, but God has a sense of humor too. :)
How loving of Him to teach us about Himself through an elderly sweet cat!
I love these insights.
WE decided to take our elderly cat with us to the lake this weekend. We were going to be there longer than usual. It makes me laugh just thinking about it……
We provided all she’d need and off we went. I’ll spare you the details, but she promptly “owned” the spaces when she got there. After two days though, she settled in and seemed content. She had a nice view and a comfy chair and blanket. It took some time, though, and she was not comfortable for a few days.
Of course, as I read these posts this morning, I thought of Puff’s experience; taken from her comfort zone, forced to be in a carrier, in a moving car, no less. taken to a strange place, with new stuff, new people, new noises, new smells….oh my!
Haven’t we all experienced that!
Thank you, Lord, for new places, new experiences, new sights, smells, sounds…..even when it’s uncomfortable. You always provide and teach….
Most of my road trips have been alone because of work. When I first retired, I missed them. Then I discovered that jobs around our new home gave me the same opportunity to think and to see God’s beautiful plan.
I still take road trips but some are in my own yard.
Yes, Hal! I like your reminder that since God has taken up residence within us, we can take a trip with Him any time, any place. How loving of Him, and what a gift to us!
It’s the Thinker’s Choice: we choose to ride with Him, and there’s no telling where He’ll take us. Usually, it’s an adventure we never imagined (1 Cor. 2:9-10).
…and right there in the comfort of our own homes… :)
A road trip reminds me of life’s journey. The hills and valleys that we all face when traveling down this road of life. I’m reminded that God not only owns those cattle along the way but also the hills they are grazing on. He has allowed me to have a small piece of property for my home, but He owns the forests that produced the materials. I must be mindful about where I lay my treasures and I can’t take any of it with me.
When I become prideful and begin to think about what is mine, I hear Him ask me, “Where were you when I spoke it all into existence?”
So really I want my journey to be a map for those that follow me. May the strengths that God has given me make them stronger and my weaknesses remind them to rely totally on the One who paves the path before them. It will not always be smooth but so worth the journey. I have found that even the steep hills and dark valleys are teaching tools for my benefit.
Thanks, Nina! Loved this! I think that your thinking got me thinking!
Patsy, I like the way you think!
Your desire for your strengths to make others stronger and your weaknesses to remind others to rely on God is powerful.
Thx for sharing your perspective about remembering that EVERYTHING comes from God: blessings, hills, valleys, teaching…His intentions for us ALWAYS come from a place of Love.
Road trips are fun with friends—sharing thoughts gives even greater insight! You’re good at that, Patty.
Love road trips, especially when there’s time to observe & think!!
Thanks for the insight!
You know those trees planted around those lonesome houses serve a purpose. They protect those who live there from the often merciless wind, sand and storms that roll across those barren plains. A shelter In the storm… I think that’s pretty cool. Made me think about my shelters in life’s storm. ❤️
Love that insight, Lori! I hadn’t thought about how the trees protect and provide. I just thought if I wanted to live out in the open, I’d want to see some life surrounding me and enjoy some shade.
What a limited perspective, since I’ve always had trees around my houses…I didn’t see their deeper purpose and provision.
Same with life: until we’ve gone through some storms, we can’t appreciate the full value of the shelter.
Thanks for sharing!
Love this perspective!! One thing I’ve noticed is that the time passes so quickly on the way to the destination…and seems to take forever going home…just maybe God gives us a barren time in our lives so that we can rest, reflect, and rejoice in the mountain top experiences!! He is so good to know EXACTLY what we need and when we need it!! Love Him so…
Great point, Debbie. Those barren times are what we make of them, right? I have to be intentional to rest, reflect and rejoice. If not intentional, I’m just too busy :( Thanks for this great reminder!
Excellent! Thought provoking! And so true! Most of all, it left me with such a sense
of peace as I reflect on my own “unexpected places” and questions that want answers–
NOW! Thanks for the reminder that “this too shall pass”. And that our good God never
makes a mistake.
Truth, Pat Q!
She COULD have said “sleeping” instead of “snoring”
Oops—TYPO! Sorry…sleeping…snoring…it’s all the same…