Road Trip Lessons ~ Part III
by Laura Hurd
Day Seven
The morning felt weird; it was Sunday, but we wouldn't be attending church since we had a 10-hour drive ahead of us. After packing my suitcase, I headed to the dining area for breakfast, my Scripture journal in hand. Jason would join me as soon as he was ready. Unlike the day before, the room was bustling with people. My introvert gland spasmed painfully. Fortunately, I found a table for two that was unoccupied. I set my journal down and went to get some coffee. Turning around, I was horrified to see an older man sit down at MY table, and in Jason's spot! I hurried over and addressed the man as nicely as I could, struggling to keep my annoyance in check.
"Sir, I'm sorry, but my things are here; this is my table..."
"Everywhere else is full," the man replied. "I'll just sit in this empty chair, if that's okay."
"Um...well...my husband is going to join me soon..."
A couple sat at a neighboring table. They overheard our conversation and offered him a seat at their table instead. Relieved, I sat down and got ready to read. Then the guilt set in. As I listened to the couple engage the man in friendly conversation, I felt increasingly worse. Closing my eyes, I could imagine Jesus looking at me with gentle but piercing eyes. "That is not who you are," I could sense Him say. "You need to apologize."
Choking back tears of shame, I gathered my things, apologized to the man for being so unkind, offered him my table, and left the dining area. Back in our room, Jason and the girls couldn't understand why I was so upset. But Jesus' words about being faithful in the "little things" would not leave my mind. I had not represented Christ well. I knew I was forgiven, but I would not take God's mercy lightly.
As we left Houston, I decided to share about our trip honestly, being open about both God's goodness and our need for it. The Cross of Christ isn't about changing us into something we're not; it's about freeing us from sin, so we can be who we were made to be in the first place.
Lesson 1: When God says I'm wrong, I am. Making excuses for myself doesn't make things right. But God disciplines gently. When I receive His discipline, I learn more about who I truly am.
We had two travel routes from which to choose. We could go back through Dallas on interstate driving, which was (theoretically) faster; however, the forecast for Dallas was 107° (yeouch!). Alternatively, we could head north through rural areas that were cooler (high in the 90's) but involved mountain driving. Jason was still worried about the car and didn't feel good about either route. Exhausted over making decisions, he asked the girls and me to choose.
We prayed for guidance, then each of us revealed which one we felt the most peace over. For me, it was the mountain pass. Courtney also chose the mountain. Allaina sighed and said, "You know, as much as I love the city and personally prefer that route, I also sense God leading us through the mountains."
Jason drove us out of Houston, and then I took the wheel. Just as the road became more curvy and hilly, I got stuck behind a white car. The speed limit was 60mph, but the driver took the turns and hills at about 45mph. Every time I had an opportunity to pass, it sped up. I was irritated at first, but then I remembered my lesson that morning and told myself to calm down. Perhaps the driver was a local and knew this road well. I decided to let the car lead.
We drove through 20mph switchback turns and steep downhill grades. Obediently following my "pilot" car, I never revved the car engine over 3,000 rpms and barely even used my brakes. After we had cleared the mountains, the white car strangely turned on its hazard lights, pulled to the side of the road, and waved us on. In my rearview mirror, I saw it leisurely turn around and head back toward the mountain.
As we passed the car, I noticed an unobtrusive little Christian fish symbol (the "ichthus") on its bumper.
Perhaps another family needed an angel to guide them through the mountains.
Lesson 2: When you ask God for guidance, trust (don't get angry at) the guide He provides.
Day Eight
We'd been gone from home a full week - and what a week! We'd had some unforgettable experiences. But between the hotels, fuel, meals, and other costs, we were also hemorrhaging money. Our next stop was at my sister's, in Arkansas. We had originally planned to stay just a night or two and debated getting a hotel there; I genuinely didn't want to be an imposition. Didn't someone warn that "fish and company smell after 3 days"? Something like that... But my sister, Cami, would have none of that. She pulled out the red carpet and the most comfortable air bed I've ever slept on (seriously, I get worse sleep in my own bed at home). She presented us with baskets containing whole bars of German chocolate and bath towels that smelled like Mom's freshly cleaned laundry.
Over the next four days, Cami and my brother-in-law, Virgil, took us sight seeing, bought us pizza and cookies, watched The Chosen with us, made time for us during a stressful week of work, and put up with our stuff scattered all over their house. We were loved beyond reason.
At one time, my sister and I had a strained relationship, so much so that we barely spoke to each other. It's completely different now. Our friendship is deeper and more beautiful than it's ever been. What happened? Well, Cami is a ridiculously stubborn follower of Christ. And so am I. When neither of us are in the mood to listen to anyone, Jesus still knows how to get through and break our pride. That makes all the difference in the world.
Lesson: Dietrich Bonhoeffer claimed that apart from Christ, direct, meaningful relationships with others are impossible. "However loving and sympathetic we try to be, however sound our psychology, however frank and open our behavior, we cannot penetrate the incognito of the other man, for there are no direct relationships, not even between soul and soul. Christ stands between us, and we can only get into touch with our neighbors through him."
However, Jesus "divides, but he also unites. Thus although the direct way to our neighbor is barred, we now find the new and only real way to him - the way which passes through the Mediator." (Bonhoeffer, in "The Cost of Discipleship")
In my experience, Bonhoeffer's words ring amazingly clear and true.
Day Twelve
It was time to go home. There were still places we were thinking of going, but we knew the trip had come to an end. There were practical reasons (gas prices, for one), but we also unanimously agreed that the Holy Spirit was calling us back to Gordon. We made a couple of stops on the way home - some good friends gave us a place to stay for a night, we took the girls on a quick tour of Oklahoma Wesleyan University (for the future, just in case), and we got to see our nephew (who was living near the campus).
Our goal for this sabbatical is not only to recharge, but also to reset. To discover what we need over what we want. To center our life in God's will. To say "no" when we need to and be okay with being misunderstood. To acknowledge own our faults, so that God can redeem them. To recognize God's involvement in this world and follow His example. Some have questioned why we chose this trip - this particular route, these specific experiences. We didn't. In fact, all four of us went WAY outside our comfort zones to exercise our spiritual "ears" and learn how to hear from God more clearly.
I am a planner. Jason has trust issues with vehicles. Allaina would rather be in Paris. Courtney would rather be home. All of us gave up individual control on this trip. Instead, we began a process of working together to discern God's will as a family. It was messy (it still is). But we are starting to learn the differences between fear and wisdom, happiness and joy, surviving and thriving. God got us home, safe and sound - just like He will at the end of all things, if we listen to His voice and follow Him wherever He takes us.