Last summer I drove to Maine to teach metalsmithing at a summer camp. It was the first time I had ever driven that far by myself and it was my first job out of college. I did not know a single person who was going to be there and, never having been to camp myself as a kid, had absolutely no idea what to expect.
Driving from Virginia to Maine alone was very surreal. I listened to music and podcasts a little, but I spent a lot of the time in silence, thinking, praying, watching the landscape change.
I did the trip in a couple of days, stopping to visit some good friends of mine in rural New York.
The day I needed to arrive at camp I got up early, my friends sent me with some tea and snacks for the road, and I drove the last 5 hours of my route.
When you have been driving for more than 12 hours, seeing your GPS start counting down from 12 minutes doesn’t make any sense. It seems impossible that in just a few minutes you will actually get to where you are going. When the GPS said 5 minutes I was completely overwhelmed and I pulled off into a small parking lot to pray and collect myself.
I asked the Lord to calm my nerves and bless my summer. I spent at least a good 5 minutes just sitting there praying and readying myself to drive those last couple miles down the road.
After mentally collecting myself as much as possible, I took the opportunity to physically collect myself. I had everything I needed for the summer in my car (little bit of pre-race-training in packing minimally), and in the passenger seat I had my backpack (full of books for myself and my kiddos), a back of road munchies, probably a sweater, and whatever else I had gotten out and used somewhere along the way. I organized and consolidated, taking a few of the things that were on the seat and putting them on the floor.
Then the most incredible thing happened. The passenger seat belt light came on.
The passenger seat belt light came on when I took weight OFF the seat.
I still had things on the seat and you might say that I just tripped the switch by moving things around, but for me the message was clear. Jesus was sitting right there in my car with me, and He wanted me to know it. He wanted me to SEE it. God was reminding me that He is always with me and that he always will be.
Jesus loves us, and loves to give us good things. I didn’t ask for a sign, but He gave me one. That sign gave me the courage that I had asked for and I drove those last 5 minutes down the road to camp. As I grapple with all the same fears and insecurities that were with me that summer and look towards training camp and the Race, I remind myself of God’s steadfast love and His promise to never leave me.
Matthew 7:7-11
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
pc: https://rickholliday.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/portland-head-light-and-fog/
Very inspiring! Sometimes we forget that He is with us. I know I do. Receive His Blessing. Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.