HIGHWAY SIGN, PART TWO

Monday I told you how God was a comedian.

Today I'm going to tell you how He has a heart of gold.

The last 24 hours (I'm writing this on Monday) have been chock-full of bad news…

First of all, my only aunt died. I was very close to her. It was quite a blow – especially when the news came from my father. He wouldn't let my mom tell me, because it was his brother's wife. Now I love my dad, but *sensitive delivery* is not his forte. Therefore, this difficult message came in the form of a one-sided conversation – all business – with few details – and a quick hang-up. Oh well.

Good news is that my aunt was a strong believer, and I know that I'll see her again someday.

Then, my sons' truck developed all sorts of problems – all of a sudden – and that meant $$$ - and an inconvenient overnight stay at the mechanic.

And finally, my dearest grandbeagle Marty started acting weird – skittish and tentative. And he would yelp at the most ordinary movements. Well, one trip to the vet's office determined that he has a back injury. Oh, dear. I think he's going to be OK – but it's something that we'll have to keep our eye on. (Sidenote: Would you please keep him in your prayers?)

All of this news is hitting me after a very long summer of health issues and concerns, car troubles, two different debit card numbers stolen, random family stuff, financial demands, and a seemingly never-ending onslaught of anxiety-producing shots of adrenalin.

Let me tell you, I don't handle regular life too well most of the time (!!) – and this has all been a bit (a lot) overwhelming for me.

So, I had just finished talking with my sons as "The Hub" and I were driving home from our out-of-town trip on Monday. I had just found out the bad news about Marty and the truck.

I hung up, and started to cry.

It was JUST. TOO. MUCH.

"Lord, where are You? I feel so alone right now. I feel so nervous and confused. I feel so overwhelmed. I don't know what to do."

And then, I saw it – The Sign.

Nailed to a random telephone pole in the middle of nowhere was a small orange poster with these words on it:

TRUST JESUS.

Yes, it was – right there, right then.

I'm not kidding – I saw God smile.

He did.

And I realized something…

Sometimes I focus so much on my problems that I forget to remember The Answer. Sometimes I get so nervous that I forget to rely on The Prince of Peace. Sometimes I am so overwhelmed by the tide of my struggles that I forget that The Master of the Storm is the One who stands beside me.

Once He calmed the sea, and once He walked on water.

And that's what He's going to do with me. He will either calm the storm of *stuff* that's been hitting my personal "fan" lately, or He will walk on water in the middle of the storm and invite me to walk with Him through the waves.

Either way, He's there.

TRUST.

JESUS.

There's the secret.

Trust, don't fret. Trust, don't worry.

Jesus, not yourself. Jesus, not circumstances.

You see, He's got a heart of gold. And lately, He's been showing it to me in the most unexpected ways.

In a butterfly, on a poster –

I may not have seen a burning bush – but I tell you what, I've been fortunate to find smoldering shrubs all over the place!

Thank you, Lord – You are always there, and ever near.

How has the Lord made His presence known to you lately?

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"