Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Car Trip (07/18/05)
-
TITLE: "How Did He Get Out of This One?" | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pat Guy
07/25/05 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
I was angry. And I wasn’t the only one. My daughter and I both were tired, hungry and angry. The driver of this trip – my husband of many, many years – her father, was not honoring the pact we all agreed upon that morning.
We were to stop early (before sundown), find a heated pool (before sundown), eat dinner and relax (before sundown), but passing two promising exists on the interstate when sundown was fast approaching, did nothing to abate the storms brewing within the small living space of our car.
Night was falling as quickly as dusk was fading. So was my patience, and so was my – dare I say it – love in the top part of my heart. The Easy Love. When my Easy Love wilts like Posies on a hot summer day and I have to dig into my Love Reserves, my husband is in big trouble and the space we occupy together becomes deadly silent – and I was digging in.
Folding my arms in defiance, a long sigh expresses my thoughts well,I want to enjoy this trip, and all he wants is, “to get there.”
I turn to see if he notices.
With a slightly guilty pleasure I see a fine mist appearing on his forehead, furrowed by his own thoughts – I know they’re angry. I’m trying to find a place! If she hadn’t found that State Park for lunch we wouldn’t be two hours behind schedule! And I don’t feel like explaining right now. “Dear God, please find us a nice place with a heated pool!”
No one dare speak during these fragile moments. He glances to the left, I glance to the right and Michelle plays a silent game. He sees exit 81 to Roanoke (Virginia) and I spot a roadside advertisement, “The Sleep Inn with indoor heated pool. Cracker Barrell within walking distance.” And I wonder, Did God…….?
We don’t hesitate to take advantage of the offerings at this exit and soon; well fed, content and relaxed, Michelle and her dad are splashing around with the children of a family from Jamaica. I have the opportunity to brag about our firstborn grandchild to their grandfather and after heartfelt congratulations, he is interested about our son in the Marines – so a little more bragging is modestly done. I explain we will arrive at Fort Belvoir tomorrow by late morning – and – where are they headed?
After a lengthy play session with all the kids, an internal alarm clock alerts Charles to the Chicago Bulls Playoff game (Michael Jordan) so he heads back to our big, comfortable room.
With my Love Reserves well stocked and my Easy Love once again in full bloom, the World is a better place.
As I relax on the side of the pool with my feet slowly peddling in the soothing water, I take pleasure in observing Michelle enjoying the novelty of travel, hotel and the indoor heated pool. With no urgency of time hovering over me, my mind curiously wanders…….,
How did he do it? How did he miracously end up on the winning side – again?
Hmmmm… I wonder… I bet he prayed! That stinker. It’s not really cheating – but – “God, You sure got him out of this one!”
Immediately The Holy Spirit whispers part of a verse I’ve read many times, “…. exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.”*
My feet stop their movement and I bow my head not really seeing the stirring water before me. I am humbled by the Gift of His Mercy – by the gift of this journey – and by the gift our new grandbaby. And… by the Gift of His Son, through Whom all these things are possible.
I look at my surroundings with new appreciation knowing Who worked this out for us all, and for who is upstairs in our big, comfortable room waiting for my daughter and I to return. A long humble sigh expresses my heart well, “Thank You Dear Lord for all You have provided, and I thank You, for a husband who prays.”
I think I will tuck these gifts away in the top part of my Love Reserves.
*Ephesians 3:20 (KJV) “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.