Michele Huey's Blog: God, Me, and a Cup of Tea, page 36
October 13, 2018
Surviving Marriage
Two are better than one. – Ecclesiastes 4:9 ESV
It’s been three weeks since Dean retired. After decades of being home alone all day, suddenly I have him around 24/7.
I’m loving every minute of it. We’re settling into a nice routine. The biggest adjustment has been wearing my hearing aids all day instead of just in the evenings – a huge change for me. I like my world quiet.
But seeing the exasperated look on his face when I asked “what?” every time he said something made me realize if I want to have a long, healthy marriage in these retirement years, I’d better up my game.
DH is an easy man to get along with. He’s patient, kind, sometimes forgetful, sometimes too practical (“red neck” might be a better term), and almost always puts me first. The closest we ever come to fighting is when I try to pry out of him where he wants to eat out.
His answer is always, “Wherever (or whatever) you want. If you’re happy, I’m happy.”
Okay, I can settle for that.
On his wedding day, my oldest son texted me these words: “I finally have what I saw growing up in you and Dad.”
I never realized we were being an example to our kids. I was just trying to survive.
But we’ve more than survived marriage. We’ve thrived.
[image error]Me and Dean, December 22, 1973
In 45 years, I’ve learned a few things that have contributed to the difference between “survive” and “thrive.”
First, I’ve learned the importance of communication. Of listening to what he says and what he doesn’t say. Of listening with not just my four ears, but my heart. I’ve learned the wisdom of Proverbs 18:13 and James 1:19, but it’s still hard not to jump in with my two cents or finish his sentences.
I’ve learned to talk things over with him and include him in the decision-making, especially with finances. I value his input and don’t feel as though I’m carrying the burden all by myself.
It took me a long time, but I’ve learned to control my anger. I used to be a rage monster. But God lovingly worked on and in me.
I’ve learned the importance of forgiveness, both giving it and asking for it. Offenses can be intentional, unintentional, and perceived. I’ve learned to get over it. Dwelling on things, stewing, simmering eventually leads to the pot of bitterness boiling over. Once again, prayer is the key.
Which brings me to probably the most important lesson of all: the value of prayer. Daily, consistent, persistent, spontaneous prayer. I pray for Dean every day. I pray for our relationship, circumstances, situations, and issues we’re dealing with. I pray for myself – that I would be the wife he needs, the helper suitable for him.
I like the way the Amplified version expands on the word “helper” in Genesis 2:18. A helper is one who balances the other, a counterpart who is suitable for and completes the other person, who brings out his good qualities.
[image error]January 2016
And finally, I’ve learned what love is all about. It’s keeping the romance alive. It’s not taking him for granted. It’s noticing and showing appreciation for the little things. It’s taking time for and with each other, doing something fun together.
And it’s wearing my hearing aids when he’s around . . . funny, but now I rather like my world a bit noisier.
Lord, help me to be the person my spouse needs. Help me truly to be the other half of a whole You have ordained. Amen.
Read and meditate on Ecclesiastes 4:9–12; Genesis 2:18–24.
© 2018 Michele Huey. All rights reserved.
October 6, 2018
Auto-INcorrect
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Listen before you answer. – Proverbs 18:13 GNT
Modern technology is wonderful. I can now keep in touch with my kids, who live in various states, and my brother in Alabama on a daily basis. I can send and receive pictures, memes, messages. I can encourage, remind, inform.
What I can’t do is deal with a frustrating software function on my phone that changes my words while I’m typing. It’s called “autocorrect.”
While its purpose is to correct common spelling and typing errors and save time, it doesn’t always save time and it doesn’t always correct correctly. Hence I’ve dubbed it “autoINcorrect” because a good deal of the time it changes the word to one I didn’t intend.
I admit, my fat fingers fly on the tiny keyboard and often hit the wrong key, but I’m perfectly capable of noticing and correcting my own mistakes. After all, I’m a writer, editor, and former English teacher. I know my grammar – so well one of my editing clients calls me a “Grammar Nazi.”
So I’m more than irked when Otto Korreck (another name I dubbed the irritating function) changes my words and hence the meaning. How dare it! I know what I intend to say. Otto doesn’t. Otto only thinks he knows what I intend to say.
One day while retyping and resending a message – and grumbling about the time wasted correcting Otto’s mistake – it hit me: I can be like Otto.
I, too, can misinterpret what another person is saying because I assume what the other person means. I don’t listen. I’ve tuned them out because my mind is reviewing the story I want to tell (related to what the other person is saying, of course) when he pauses long enough for me to jump in with my two cents.
I act like I’m listening. I nod, murmur appropriate phrases to show my (fake) sympathy or understanding. But my mind is all but truly listening.
Listening is different than hearing.
Hearing happens. We hear sounds all the time – the dishwasher running, a neighborhood dog barking (or cow mooing), traffic on the road, wind chimes. Some we block out; some we stop and listen to.
Listening is a conscious act that you choose to do. It requires concentration and time to allow your mind to process the sounds.
My mother was good at hearing but not truly listening. It irked me to no end because I just needed someone to listen (and commiserate). I didn’t need the preaching and teaching session she launched into when I was done. I wondered if she really heard and understood what I was saying. She was too busy preparing her message to really listen to me.
Do I do the same? Do I only hear other people and not truly listen to them?
Listening involves the heart. Listening involves shutting off my mind to the stories and things I want to say. Listening means putting the other person’s needs first. After all, it isn’t about me.
The person probably doesn’t need me trying to fix her problem. She just wants to vent. She just needs someone to listen with compassion and sympathy, someone to squeeze her hand or give her a hug.
In his epistle, James tells us to be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19).
The Amplified version expands the meaning and tells us to be careful, thoughtful listeners, and when we do speak, to carefully choose our words so they show we’re reflecting on what was said (and thus listening).
Don’t be another Otto Korreck. Listen with your heart.
Remind me, Lord, that I have two ears and one mouth. Help me to use them to minister to others. Amen.
Read and meditate on Philippians 2:3–4.
© 2018 Michele Huey. All rights reserved.
October 5, 2018
BOOK LAUNCH!
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Friday, Oct. 12, 1–3 p.m. at B’s Books, Etc., 122 East Mahoning St., Punxsutawney , PA
I’ll be signing copies of my newest release. My other titles will also be available. Hope to see you there!
The words of the song “Sunrise, Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof have long resonated within my soul. Indeed one season follows another in the story of our lives, bringing challenges, disappointments, and heartaches, but not without splashes of hope and sprinklings of happiness. This collection of devotional readings, an excellent resource for holiday programs and publications, gives fresh meaning to the seasons and holidays of the year. So pour yourself a cup of tea, grab your Bible, and head for your comfy chair to savor a cup of inspiration, a spoonful of encouragement, and a generous outpouring of the milk of God’s love. SELAH!
Available in Kindle edition ($2.99) and print book ($14.99) on Amazon. If you’d like a personally autographed copy, contact me at michelethuey@gmail.com.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
“Her devotions read like she is sitting across from you just sharing from her heart.” – Diana Pederson
“Michele Huey’s gift is to take God’s Word and translate it into deep-in-the-trenches, real-life solutions for our everyday problems. In this series of seasonal devotions, she takes us by the hand and shows us how to turn our stresses into joyful nuggets of wisdom that keep us going day after day. Michele helps us grow a rich tapestry of faith spring, summer, fall, and winter.” – Patricia Lorenz, inspirational, art-of-living writer and speaker, author of seven books and top contributing writer to the Chicken Soup for the Soul books
“What better way to enjoy the seasons than curled up in a comfortable chair with a steaming cup of tea and a spoonful of encouragement from one of Michele Huey’s delightful books!” –Cyndy Salzmann, Christian author and speaker
“Your words always touch my soul. Beautiful. You write in such a way that it makes me feel like I’m there in the situation you are telling.” – Ribcca, blog reader
“I read Michele’s newspaper column with a pen and my journal, because she always gives some nugget of spiritual wisdom that I want to record.” –Betsy Sisitki
September 29, 2018
Conditions and Promises
But those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. – Psalm 37:9 NIV
My life is a witness to the faithfulness of God.
Back when we were poor and renting an apartment in town, we longed for a house in the country. But circumstances being what they were, the only chance we had of attaining that dream was a prayer.
But prayer, as we’ve learned over the years, is the most powerful force in the universe. Because sincere prayer unlocks the power of a God who loves us, has a plan and purpose for our lives, and wants the best for us – His best.
Back then Psalm 37 attached itself to my spirit, particularly verse 9: “Those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.”
And, oh, how we desired land – wide open spaces to roam and grow and raise our family.
Dean grew up on a 90-acre farm, and times spent visiting his parents in the country brought a spring to his step, a gleam to his eyes, and a joy in his heart that nothing else could. I saw a side of him I didn’t see when we were in town. I loved this side of him, and being the good wife that I am, longed for a home in the country even more.
But – the great “buts” of life – the obstacles, the mountains we cannot climb, the impossible dreams.
But nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26, Luke 1:37).
Ever notice the “but factor” in the Bible? First a statement of distress, then “But God . . .” There’s neither time nor room to explore all the places in the Word this statement appears. But let’s just focus on one psalm: Psalm 37 – the psalm the Lord gave me when I felt hopeless, the psalm I clung to over the years, the psalm I believed was God’s promise to me.
I particularly latched onto verse 4: “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
The desires of my heart can be dangerous if not in line with what God wants for me. So my prayer became, “Lord, place Your desires in my heart, so I want what You want me to want – what You want for me.”
As I studied the psalm further, I saw it was a condition-promise psalm. There were certain conditions I am to fulfill for God to act on my behalf. Let’s look at them.
I am to:
not fret
trust in God
do good
live in dependence on Him
delight in Him
commit my way to Him
rest in Him
refrain from anger and forsake wrath
depart from evil
wait on the Lord
keep His way
And God will:
give me the desires of my heart
act (bring it to pass, answer prayer)
bring forth righteousness and justice
cause me to inherit the land
give me an abundance of peace
uphold me with His hand
be my strength in times of trouble
deliver me
I especially love verses 23–24: “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”
As I look back on my life, I see the faithfulness of a God who keeps His Word, who cares intimately for me, who guides and directs my steps and makes them firm, who gives me the desires of my heart.
Yes, we inherited the land. We have a beautiful home in the country on 13 acres, a family we delight in, faithful friends we can depend on for prayer support, and a God who blesses us exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
Read and meditate on this psalm.
What verses speak to your heart? What situation in your life do these verses address? And, most important, what is God saying to you?
Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening. Amen.
Read and meditate on Psalm 37.
© 2018 Michele Huey. All rights reserved.
September 22, 2018
To My Husband on His Retirement
When the time of his service was over, he returned home. – Luke 1:23 NIRV
This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24 ESV
Finally, the day has come. Your retirement. We’ve dreamed, planned, worked, and prayed. For years.
I have to admit: I’m a little scared. Because, after over forty years, there won’t be a regular paycheck every two weeks. Time to test the faith we profess: that God will supply everything we need (Philippians 4:19), so we don’t need to worry about tomorrow or the tomorrow after that or all the tomorrows God has in our future here on earth (Matthew 6:25–33).
My heart and spirit know this, but I’m having a little trouble convincing my head, which has always been the practical part of me. The part that wants to see before I believe.
But how much more do I have to witness?
God has always been there for us. Remember how He provided the heating oil we needed the first year in the “house”? Or a repairman for the recycled furnace?
I used quotation marks around house because it wasn’t really a house yet. It was a concrete block cubicle, an unfinished basement into which we moved when our first child was four and our middle child was 11 months old. The third one, a surprise, came along four years later when we’d just moved the bedrooms upstairs.
[image error]Dean takes a break from building the deck.
Our house-in-progress took over 30 years to complete. But complete it you did – while working 11-, 12-, sometimes 14-hour days. And finding the time to take us camping and being the husband and father we needed. Not only did you teach our children by example the value of hard work, you showed us all patience and steadfast love in action.
I’m so looking forward to the time together. At last!
It took me several weeks to get out of a funk after spending every day with you during the 10-day vacation we took exploring Michigan this past summer. I missed you terribly when we came home and you went back to work.
The high point of my day has always been the moment you walk in the door after work.
And now I get to be with you all day, every day. Except the days you go hunting or fishing. Or when I push you out the door so I can get some writing done.
My brother cautioned me to “be gentle, understanding, and patient” as you transition to retired life. To which I answered: “All of which I am not.”
And now, after four decades of faithful, loyal service to your employers, you deserve a long, healthy, happy retirement doing the things you didn’t have time to do all these years – hunting, fishing, going for long walks in the woods with your camera, and heading out with the camper (and me) to explore this beautiful country of ours.
I love you. Always and forever.
Bless this wonderful man, Lord, exceedingly abundantly above all he can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). He deserves it. Amen.
Read and meditate on Psalm 92:12–14
© 2018 Michele Huey. All rights reserved.
September 19, 2018
New Devotional Book Released
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The words of the song “Sunrise, Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof have long resonated within my soul. Indeed one season follows another in the story of our lives, bringing challenges, disappointments, and heartaches, but not without splashes of hope and sprinklings of happiness. This collection of devotional readings, an excellent resource for holiday programs and publications, gives fresh meaning to the seasons and holidays of the year. So pour yourself a cup of tea, grab your Bible, and head for your comfy chair to savor a cup of inspiration, a spoonful of encouragement, and a generous outpouring of the milk of God’s love. SELAH!
Available in Kindle edition ($2.99) and print book ($14.99) on Amazon. If you’d like a personally autographed copy, contact me at michelethuey@gmail.com.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
“Her devotions read like she is sitting across from you just sharing from her heart.” – Diana Pederson
“Michele Huey’s gift is to take God’s Word and translate it into deep-in-the-trenches, real-life solutions for our everyday problems. In this series of seasonal devotions, she takes us by the hand and shows us how to turn our stresses into joyful nuggets of wisdom that keep us going day after day. Michele helps us grow a rich tapestry of faith spring, summer, fall, and winter.” – Patricia Lorenz, inspirational, art-of-living writer and speaker, author of seven books and top contributing writer to the Chicken Soup for the Soul books
“What better way to enjoy the seasons than curled up in a comfortable chair with a steaming cup of tea and a spoonful of encouragement from one of Michele Huey’s delightful books!” –Cyndy Salzmann, Christian author and speaker
“Your words always touch my soul. Beautiful. You write in such a way that it makes me feel like I’m there in the situation you are telling.” – Ribcca, blog reader
“I read Michele’s newspaper column with a pen and my journal, because she always gives some nugget of spiritual wisdom that I want to record.” –Betsy Sisitki
September 15, 2018
When Storms Assail
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. –Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
As I write this (Thursday, Sept. 13), Hurricane Florence churns her way ashore, her eye on the Carolinas.
My daughter, Jaime, lives in South Carolina, so my mother’s eye is watching the track of that monstrous storm. Torrential rains and tropical-storm-force winds will extend far inland.
“Come home,” I more than suggested to her.
“I couldn’t even if I wanted to,” she said. Over a million folks evacuating the coast are on the highways heading west.
So Jaime will prepare the best she can, hunker down, and ride it out.
Storms assail no matter where we live, whether they be hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, mudslides, rainstorms, snowstorms, windstorms, or another natural disaster. At any place in the world, at any given time, disaster can strike. That doesn’t mean we live in fear or let worry consume us.
It means we do all we can to prepare, then hunker down and ride it out – and leave the outcome in God’s hands.
This goes for storms not of a physical nature, too – those emotional, mental, spiritual tempests. They can be circumstances, relationships, situations. Whatever the cause, they impact us profoundly and shatter our illusions of a smooth, easy sail through life.
Some storms, like hurricanes, we know are coming, so we can prepare. Some, like tornadoes or earthquakes, catch us unaware. But unaware doesn’t mean unprepared.
How can we prepare for the storms of life that are sure to come?
First, know they will come. No one is immune from the trials and tribulations that assail our existence on this planet. Even Jesus assured us, “In the world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). In the same statement, He gave us a way to cope: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.” Are you in Him?
Second, stock up on the essentials. Just like the folks preparing for the storm stock up on food and water, so, too, stock up on the Bread of Life and the Living Water (John 6:35 and John 4:10, 14) to keep your spirit strong. Do this by filling your mind and heart with His Word. Like the bread and water you consume physically is broken down and its nutrients absorbed by the body, so the words of The Word are absorbed into your mind and heart to nourish your spirit.
Third, make sure you have an alternate source of power. In a physical storm, the chances of losing power increase in proportion with the strength of the storm. So fresh batteries are on the stock-up list. So, too, with your spiritual storms. You know where the Source of Power is – God – and that Power will never go out. All you have to do is plug into it through prayer. Ask for strength, courage, wisdom, and whatever else you need to weather the storm.
Jesus told us to ask and we will receive (Matthew 7:7). That’s why it’s important to consume the Word so that it will abide in you and you can draw on its strength and power when you need it.
Fourth, just like folks prepare for the storm by barricading their windows, so, too, barricade your spirit with the protection only God can give. He Himself is a shield around you (Psalm 3:3). His are the wings under which you find refuge (Psalm 91:4). His angels have charge over you (Psalm 91:11).
Finally, hunker down with trust. Trust that, like Jesus knew His disciples were fighting the wind and the waves, God knows the tempest you’re facing. And like Jesus came to His disciples in the midst of the storm, so He will come to you. Indeed, He never left you (Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 28:20).
Let His command to the wind and the waves, “Peace! Be still!” reverberate in your mind and heart, and settle in your spirit.
Facing a storm? Prepare the best you can, hunker down, then ride it out, remembering God Himself is with you in the midst of your storm.
When storms assail, remind me, dear Lord, that You are all I need to survive them. Amen.
Read and meditate on Mark 4:35–41; Mark 6:45–51; Psalm 91
© 2018 Michele Huey. All rights reserved.
September 8, 2018
The View from the Top
[image error]Amy after her long, cold, scary climb
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. –Habakkuk 3:19 NIV
My friend Amy and her husband, Matt, are mountain climbing enthusiasts. So much so that they take a mountain-climbing vacation every year. They’ve scaled the heights in Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, and Norway, as well as all over the U.S. Currently they’re in Italy and are headed to Croatia.
In the months prior to their mountain-climbing expeditions, Matt and Amy train hard, strengthening muscle and endurance.
And when they head for the peaks, I follow their mountain-climbing exploits on Facebook. And am blown away. Yesterday Amy posted pictures, noting the climb was “long, scary, cold, big.”
It sure looked scary. Spikey and steep. Like almost straight-up steep.
“But I did it!” she commented. “Matt is an awesome mountain guide.”
The view from the top was breathtaking. And worth the climb.
For Amy and Matt, that is. You won’t catch me on a mountaintop unless I ride up. In fact I have – last year we rode to the summit of Montana’s Whitefish Mountain in a closed gondola. And when I was in Colorado Springs, I took the Cog Railway 14,000 feet to the top of Pike’s Peak.
Life has it mountain-climbing moments, doesn’t it? Long. Scary. Steep. Spikey. Cold. Big. Seemingly impossible. And no rides to the top.
And in life, our training for the tough climbs is the tough climbs.
But we have a Guide who gives us the strength we need. Indeed, when we are weak, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9–10).
On the climb, He enables us to scale the heights, making us sure-footed (even when our hearts and minds aren’t so sure) and keeps us safe, encouraging us with these words: “Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed or intimidated. For I am with you wherever you go. I will never leave you or forsake you” (Joshua 1:9, Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6).
The climb itself strengthens us like no ride to the top ever will. Not only are we strengthened physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
“It was tough,” we can say. “It was long, scary, cold, steep, and big. But I did it! Jesus is an awesome guide.”
The view at the top is breathtaking – and worth the climb.
It is a view we carry with us as we descend and then traverse the valleys of life. A memory that strengthens our resolve because we know we are not alone. We have a Guide who enables us and will never abandon us, even when we’re clinging to the side of a cliff. A Shepherd who will leave the 99 and seek and save the one who wandered away.
And we are encouraged because we know when the next mountain looms before us and there is no way around it, we can strap on our mountain-climbing gear and follow our Guide up to the top.
Are you climbing a mountain now? Clinging to the side of a cliff? Or at the base of an intimidating spikey tower, staring up in dismay at the climb before you?
Rest assured, precious one, you are not alone, even though at times you may feel alone.
Anchor your faith not in your feelings, which fluctuate like weather on a mountain, but in the One who gives His angels charge over you, to guard you in all your ways (Psalm 91:11). And who is with you every step of the climb.
Thank You, Lord, for making the view worth the climb. Thank you for being my Guide. Amen.
Read and meditate on Romans 5:1–5.
MORE PICTURES FROM AMY AND MATT:
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© 2018 Michele Huey. All rights reserved. Pictures courtesy of Matt and Amy Talladay, © 2018.
September 1, 2018
Work: Blessing or Curse?
[image error]Image courtesy of Creative Commons. No attribution required.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. –Colossians 3:23
It was over 20 years ago. The door had firmly shut on the job of my dreams –teaching – and, after I got over my major, extended funk, I realized this was an opportunity to pursue another one of my life’s interests – writing.
So I got a job at a local newspaper writing feature articles.
I loved it! I wrote human interest stories with a positive slant. Interviewing folks fascinated me, their stories intrigued me. I had the best of both worlds: a job I loved and freedom to set my schedule and choose my topics. But I was too stupid to see it. I wanted a position on staff, not be merely a stringer.
So when the society page editor resigned, I stepped into her position. I didn’t like it as much as writing people stories, but I was caught in a “climb-the-ladder-to-success” scenario. Excuse me, trap is a better word.
Fast forward a year or so, and I found myself in the editor’s office. Editor of the entire newspaper. I hated it. I hated the hours. I hated the politics. I hated everything about it.
In his book If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat, John Ortberg tells the story of a man who was offered the presidency of a university. A Quaker, he called together a half-dozen Quaker friends to help him discern whether this was truly a calling from God.
When asked what he would like about being president, he told them all he wouldn’t like. Finally, when asked a third time, he came face to face with the real reason he even was considering it: “Well, I guess what I’d like most is getting my picture in the paper with the word president under it.”
“Parker,” one man asked, “can you think of an easier way to get your picture in the paper?”
We can laugh, but that’s where I was. I liked the words “editor of the newspaper” behind my name, but there was no joy. I was absolutely, totally miserable. The mother of miserable.
Fortunately, I didn’t last long. I went to another newspaper, where I continued to write my devotional column, plus another column about my former town and also covered board meetings.
My sister’s death in 2003 made me realize I still wasn’t fulfilling my God-given calling. I was letting money and prestige dictate my job choices.
When you’re fulfilling God’s purpose for you (see Psalm 138:8), joy will fill you. Your work will be a blessing. But when you’re out of sync with that calling, uneasiness, restlessness, joylessness, and even downright misery will rule the day. Work will be a curse.
It takes courage to step out of the rut we’ve carved for ourselves, take off the masks, and leave the comfort of the known.
But remember, God has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11), and He will guide you, direct you, prepare the way for you, walk with you, go before you, and provide for all you need.
Commit your way to the Lord, and your plans will be established. He will make your steps firm (Proverbs 16:3 and Psalm 37:23–24). In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:5–6).
Why not ask God what He wants you to be doing? His answer may surprise you – and will definitely delight you.
Thank You, God, for giving me satisfying work that uses the talents You gave me, fills me with joy, and fulfills Your purpose for me. Amen.
Read and meditate on Matthew 25:14–30.
© 2018 Michele Huey. All rights reserved.
August 25, 2018
Expect an Adventure!
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God will put his angels in charge of you to protect you wherever you go. –Psalm 91:11 GNT
As I write this, I’m in the midst of packing for a short camping trip. I plan to do nothing for three days but rest, read, relax, crochet, and eat. Which is why I made potato salad, chicken soup, chicken salad, and a dinner casserole beforehand—so any cooking and cleaning up while on the trip is minimal. Very minimal. Like almost nonexistent.
If the weather cooperates, I might consider a short, non-challenging (meaning a flat, easy trail of no more than a mile, round trip) hike if DH talks me into it. But don’t tell him.
We both need a break from the in-depth projects we’ve been working on, from juggling too many things at the same time. He’s loaded his fishing gear, and I my books, magazines, Kindles, and current crochet project.
Even though I envision sitting with my feet propped up all day, I’m realistic enough to know that “life is what happens while you’re making other plans.” (Thank you, John Lennon, for that marvelous quote!) The countless trips we’ve taken over the years—and the many misadventures that went with them—have taught me to go with the flow. There are times you swim against the current and times you go with it, making the best of things and enjoying the unexpected experience.
Perhaps the misadventure has a purpose: to teach a lesson, reveal a new perspective, deepen compassion, expand understanding, or (ugh!) grow patience.
Take our month-long trip to the Pacific Northwest last year.
All did not go according to plan—and, believe me, we planned ad nauseum.
We had wonderful adventures along with some interesting misadventures. Like when we had to cut the day’s travel time short because Dean got dehydrated and couldn’t drive another mile. Thankfully one of our travelling companions was a former EMT.
Or when my lower back went out, and I literally shuffled (and suffered) for two days—one of which was spent touring a museum. Thankfully, our other travelling companion had brought along his back therapy paraphernalia and loaned it to me. My pain lessened, and I was able to move around better a lot sooner than I usually do when my back gives me issues.
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Then there was the blown camper tire on I-80 just past Chicago that required four new tires before we could continue our journey home. The state trooper who stopped to help us directed us to a Walmart only a few miles away, where we stayed the night before getting the new treads—and where a former Marine stopped and chatted with DH, also a veteran of the USMC.
I always wear my angel necklace when we travel. And we always pray when we set out on a trip for God to protect us. I envision God’s angels surrounding us, being that shield around us. Yes, God’s angels were right there in each so-called misadventure—the former EMT, the friend with the back stuff, the state policeman, the USMC vet.
Perhaps the most important lesson I’ve learned through these so-called misadventures is who’s really doing the driving on this trip called life. And when He’s got the wheel, as my friend DiAnn Mills likes to say, expect an adventure!
Thank You, Lord, for the wonderful trip of life, for the adventures and misadventures, and for Your abiding presence, abundant provision, and able protection through them all. Amen.
Read and meditate on Psalm 91.
© 2018 Michele Huey. All rights reserved.
God, Me, and a Cup of Tea
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