When toll booths are like waves

We called my sister who is staying in a Disney resort but having flown in, had no car.

"I am only a few minutes away from you right now, at the grocery store. Do you want me to pick up groceries for you?", I offered.
I told her my GPS indicated I was only 5 minutes from her place.
She gratefully recited her shopping list and we bought the items and headed off in the car, guided by the ever faithful star of our Garmin GPS.

I began to grow concerned when Garmin told me to hop on the toll road. My act of kindness was going to cost me $1.75. Still, it assured me I was just three minutes away and perhaps that was a small price to pay for convenience. Relying completely on the all knowing sensors in my Garmin, I never consulted maps anymore. Even crowded, scary, new cities like Orlando no longer threatened to unravel my calm and ruffle-free picture perfect mood...at least to that moment. The tiniest snag appeared in my demeanor as we entered the toll booth.

I paid my toll and then saw that Garmin was directing me to go a half mile, do a u-turn and return down the toll road the way I had just come. To my untrained eye, it appeared that the Garmin was taunting me, sending me on a fool's errand. Or Garmin was lost and it's Maker had neglected to program it to say, "pull over and consult an old fashioned map as I am hopelessly lost and will now put you on an infinite loop of toll roads."

"It doesn't do any good to get upset," reminded Asherel, as she likely noticed lava beginning to trickle out of my nose.

I trust my Garmin- it has rarely steered me wrong so surely there was a reason for this.
Strangely, it reported my sister's resort as somewhat further away now. I did the u-turn and got to pay the toll ....again. (Oh happy day!) I had now travelled a mile and spent $3.50 for the privilege of doing so.

In a panic now,with visions of toll booths appearing regularly every few feet, crashing against my bank account like waves, I told my co-pilot Asherel to program the Garmin NOW to avoid toll roads. The full blown emotional volcanic eruption was unavoidable now, as I realized we were lost, surrounded by bright pink and yellow buildings cheerfully goading me with their unreal happy facades.

Asherel again reminded me that getting upset never helps when I threatened to build a fire fifty feet wide in which to throw Garmin and all his little GPS liars.

Thirty minutes later, we arrived at my sister 's place.

This is what life is like sometimes.
Things are not what they seem. Journeys that were supposed to be quick and easy become expensive and frustrating marathons. Tempers don't remain tempered.

Not only do we sometimes not move in the right direction, but sometimes we pay dearly for the
privilege of losing ground.
We are waves pouring desperately forward only to find our progress sucked back like the tide. And how do we respond?
With praise and thanksgiving for all we are learning? I think not.

As in all things, maybe God was teaching me in an area I seem to struggle with over and over again. I am not the one in control, much as I think I should be and stressing about it is probably not the response He is going for. He who can stop the waves can smooth my paths or, in His infinite wisdom, direct them through endless toll booths. Ultimately , I can choose to rant and rave or accept it all with good humor and even joy. I suspect my co-pilot would assure you that I have a long way yet to go in making the better choice...and I suspect God may be throwing a few more toll booths in my path to help me practice.

Job 38:11 (NIV)
when (God) said, `This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt'

- Nothing is impossible with God
- hollowcreekfarm.org