I love road trips. It works out nicely that what I do for a living takes place on the road. I love stopping at truck stops, yes truck stops where you can get showered, eat breakfast, buy a new ipod and get a car wash all in the same place (although I haven’t completely taken advantage of all they have to offer). I love new cities, new people, new friends and freshness. Traveling is great because everything is a surprise, most of the time.
Casey and I live with my in-laws as we are transitioning back to Washington, D.C. from Springfield, Missouri. We moved in late June and God has provided and multiplied in so many ways already. However, I find myself in all of my ungratefulness and pride saying, “This is it? This is the provision and hand on our life?” Not that what He has provided isn’t wonderful, it’s just not ideal. It’s not what I would have wanted, when I would have wanted it. Casey’s parents are wonderful, giving, loving, respectful people. One could not draw up a better set of in-laws, I mean that sincerely not just because my father-in-law has tour2911.com as his homepage, is our biggest fan and I know will be reading this within hours of me posting. Casey and I are grateful for their above and beyond financial and physical investment into our lives. The people aren’t the problem, it’s my idea of ideal that’s the problem.
I have begged God to provide differently than He has or in the way that I want it. He brought me to Numbers 11 to gain some perspective. This passage deals with a group of people (Israelites) who were slaves, God freed them, protected them and provided manna for them (bread on the ground every morning). If you woke up with bread on the ground that was better for you than anything in the pantry or organic market you would be thankful? Probably not. Their only instruction was to take what they needed every morning for the day. No more and no less because the next day fresh manna would be available. Numbers 11:6 shows the depth of their faith and gratitude.
6 but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!”
Their complaint was…there is nothing except what God has provided! The end result you are aiming towards, the dream or the finish line will be incredible…but without a trip saturated in faith, perseverance, thankfulness and gratitude you may never see it. God calls us to be servants, not masters. Although often times this concept is hard to understand, He knows what we need and how to get us where we’re going so that we’ll be better for it. Don’t hate on the road trip, enjoy it, that’s where memories are made.
