There is one particular phrase that I’ve said
countless times in my life and that is – Lead the way! The main
reason those words come out of my mouth so freely is that I’m hopelessly inept
when it comes to directions. I mean, I
can whip out a recipe while following directions and I can eventually figure
out how to fold a complex paper airplane using directions. BUT!
Driving directions? Foh-get about
it! You won’t ever see me in the front
of any caravan saying, “Follow me!”
Prime example – just the other day, I told my husband
that I needed to run an errand thirty minutes from the house. He asked (as he always graciously does), “Do you
need me to draw you a map?” “Nope,” I
confidently replied, “I got this.”
Now, I’m also desperately old-fashioned in many ways
and I don’t own a GPS or smart phone or any other technology gizmo, doodad,
thingamajig, or doohickey that could help me along the way, say, IF, I got
turned around. I do have a flip-phone (but, no texting…). So cool,
I know, but please don’t be jealous – ha ha!
So, recalling the one time I had been to this place,
I dug down deep to remember the way. Of course, I got turned around (because there were TWO roads with the exact
same name – go figure!) and I took the one on the left instead of the one
on the right. Two roads diverged in a
yellow wood and my ever so dependable coin flip failed me – hee hee!
I will have you know that I sensed I was not headed
in the right direction since nothing looked familiar. So, before I
was in another state, I turned around and headed down the other road choice. My hubby was extremely proud of me for this
realization. Typically, NOTHING clicks
in the directions department. I don’t normally
“sense” anything. I’m makin’ progress,
people. Makin’ progress. There’s hope.
I kid you not, two days later, an elderly man was
stopped in the middle of a country road and was waving his hands for help. I didn’t know
what he needed, so I slowed down a bit and hollered, “Can I help you?” He said, “Yeah, I think I’m lost (join the club!), can you tell me where
the nearest town is?” I chuckled to
myself (if he ONLY knew who he was asking
directions from!). I helped him with
a few, simple directions and he was incredibly grateful. Proud moment for me.
I may never be
the “go-to-gal” when it comes to directions, but I promise to keep trying. Of course, there is always one dependable
source in which I continually ask for direction. My prayer begins with “Lead the way, Lord.” I received an e-mail reflection about guidance
the other day that was certainly a keeper:
Whether
I invite a particular change or it seems thrust on me, change is unsettling. “What should I do?”
“What can I do?” I may ask. While advice
from others may be helpful, it might also lead me to overthink, until I am even
more confused.
I
will turn within to shed divine light on the subject. Going deeper than
surface appearances, I become receptive to infinite wisdom. I quiet my thinking mind, and in the
stillness, I allow my intuition to be awakened. I know the answers are within me, and I wait
for them to unfold. With clarity and
calm, I summon the courage to act on the divine guidance I receive. I am thankful for a greater good unfolding
through me.
That little
prayer brings me peace, especially when I’m in decision-making mode. When I knock on God’s door so often throughout
the day, there are times I get a mighty “YES.”
But, aren’t there times when we get a loving “NO?” Here is an e-mail I received from Aunt Irene
that puts some things into perspective for me when I ask for quick fixes and
God knows there is a better way:
I
asked God to take away my habit. God said, “No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to
give it up.”
I
asked God to grant me patience. God said, “No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations. It isn’t granted. It is learned.”
I
asked God to give me happiness. God said, “No. I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.”
I
asked God to spare me pain. God said, “No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to Me.”
I
asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, “No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune
you to make you fruitful.”
I
asked God for all things so that I might enjoy life. God said, “No. I will give you life so that you may enjoy
all things.”
I
asked God to help me love others as much as He loves me. God said,
“Ahhh…finally you have the idea.”
Lead the way.
As my family
and I wrapped up a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, we made it a point to pray
for and remember all of those special men and women who have fought and fallen
for our many freedoms. As a part of our
celebrations, we went to an amazing sand sculpture that was crafted in honor
and in memory of our country’s heroes.
As one sculptor put it, “True heroes wear dog tags, not capes.”
While we were
visiting, we heard a story that will not soon be forgotten. It was yet another reminder of the importance
of listening to the Holy Spirit’s nudges.
A woman shared a story of how a soldier etched his best friend’s name in
one of the sand sculptures. He then wept
as he remembered his fallen friend. As
he pointed to his friend’s name, he cried, “He was my very best friend.” While he said this, a couple stood nearby and
overheard his cries. They said, “Which
name are you pointing to? Who was your
best friend?” The soldier pointed to the
name and the couple embraced the man.
“He was our son.” And so, a new chapter begins.
One minute
sooner or one minute later and this timely meeting might not have taken place. Did the Holy Spirit nudge the young soldier
and the fallen soldier’s parents to be at the Wounded Warrior’s sand sculpture
at just that moment? I think so.
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