Any disruption/interruptions in routine, our flow of the day, can induce stress. Who we are, when our routine is disrupted is a good indication of our true character.
I thought, why do I, if I truly trust God, work so hard at keeping myself safe by staying in the familiar?
I decided to break out of routine, praying for sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and His leading. And when uncomfortable, keep my eyes on Him without returning to the familiar.
It was an early Saturday morning no one stirred except for the dog, who seemed to know the very moment I opened my eyes in the morning and loudly exclaimed it was time for our walk. Not wanting him to wake everyone in a house where sleep was precious due to a new baby, I obliged and we quietly slipped out.
In just 3 hours I would be doing my first 5K with my daughter and son-in-love so we'll have to make it a short one I thought. I decided to reverse our route.
I was intrigued that with such a simple change, I saw my route from a different perspective. I was noticing things that I had not noticed before despite the many times I passed this same way. How life circumstances can be much like this, if we take the time to see things from the "other side of the street" so to speak.
I was now coming to a part of my route where I questioned the turn to take so I decided to activate my "internal GPS" My God's Power Steering - Jesus. Today was not an intentional test of trust but here I was tossed into full dependence. I was finding myself in an area that was very unfamiliar. If I turned around, I would be relying on myself, the familiar, and I would not be fully trusting God and where He wanted to lead.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
I should mention at this point that I was in a country where I did not know the language,not familiar with the neighborhoods but as a side note, I did not leave home without wisdom, discretion, and a 100 pound Doberman.
As we walked, Fear asked to join us. I knew if I entertained Fear for even a little while he would refuse to leave and could dull the reception of my GPS. How to get rid of him while he is persistent? I began to sing. Praise songs to my Holy God. The declaration in song of Who He IS changed immediately my perspective of my situation and I began to pray. I prayed for direction. I prayed for family not to worry. I prayed to be home in time for the run we planned to do as a family.
Just in front of me I noticed a Polizzia Metro sign. I thought I would take my chances to head in that direction, even though it was early on a Saturday morning and the station may not be open. I walked around the corner in a desolate industrial area and noticed vendors setting up for the local Saturday market but no polizzia station.
What do I do now God?
Just then a Polizzia car pulled up to the market. Although I didn't know the language, I was able to communicate that I needed directions back to the area that I was staying in. One officer spoke broken english and insisted that I, and my rather large dog, get in the car and they would take me where I needed to be. I graciously and humbly accepted their offer. Not realizing that I had travelled quite a distance from home, I had the priveledged opportunity to talk to two of God's "angels".
I'm back home now, in my familiar home, in my familiar country but the lessons I learned in a brief moment in time will stay with me a lifetime.
I praise God that He hears us in our times of uncertainty, our times of trouble.
I praise God that He answers prayer, sometimes, just as it leaves our lips.
I praise God for guiding our steps, and when we are obedient, how we can be a blessing to others.
I praise God for the valuable lessons He teaches us about ourselves, about Him, when we have the courage to step out of the familiar.
I praise God for sending those uniformed angels and pray that I too can bring a blessing to others and give God the glory in return.
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