Road Trip - Part 3 of 4

This week we find Russ and Mary Ann at a Rest Area. They have taken their breaks and enjoyed a wonderful “picnic” of rice balls, dried squid, “okaki” or Japanese Rice crackers-okay…so enjoyed was not the word Russ would have used.

Rest Areas are strategically placed along major highways for a reason. We really should take advantage of these Rest Areas to help us get to our destination safely and with less stress.

RUSS:
My dad LOVES rest areas. I remember our family trips and I remember Dad stopping at each and every rest area. He used to say (actually he still does say) that "they" wouldn't have built them if "they" didn't want you to use them! Rest areas were and are essential parts to my dad's journeys. Resting in my Lord is an essential and intentional part of my journey in life.

I begin each day, before getting out of bed, praying to God: "This is the day the Lord has made. I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!" It's simple, but powerful. It is not ritualistic at all. It sets my mind and my heart right before I even set my feet on the ground. I find rest when I intentionally spend time each morning with God. I spend time in worship, listening and singing along to cd's. (Hillsong, Planetshakers). I spend time praying. I read my Bible prayerfully. I talk with God. I listen to God. I'll read some in a book. I'll do whatever the Holy Spirit leads me to do.

I get refreshed and rejuvenated through this each day, but sometimes...sometimes...I need an "extra dose"! What happens then? I remove...physically remove...myself from my present environment, wherever I may be. I get alone somewhere. I just begin to praise God for who He is. I don't petition Him for anything. I praise Him and I thank Him. [Psalm 100]. It gives me perspective. It gives me true rest.

MARY ANN:
One definition of the word “rest” means “a place of shelter” and so when I think of Rest Areas – they provide shelter from bad weather, a place where we can focus on the next part of our journey. In my own journey, I have found God to be a literal place of shelter for me at Camp-Tuk-A-Way back in 2005. I was hurting and struggling greatly with personal pain and had decided to NOT go to camp that year. For the prior 3 years I loved to go to camp and lead the kids in worship around the campfire, But I knew that kids could see right through anything fake and I did not think I could honor God appropriately, wholeheartedly during this pain in front of the kids.

But God led a longtime friend and Godly mentor to Dean in Lowe’s – a man that we had prayed about that Dean could connect with since Dean worked for him over 15 years ago and Dean had not seen since then. As Dean was walking down an aisle, Norm came walking toward him. Shocked to see each other; Dean shared our prayer request and then Norm asked him about my going to camp. After Dean explained that I would not be going and why….Norm looked at Dean and said; “Tell Mary Ann that she needs to go to camp. God has a plan for her there.”

As they were parting, Dean remarked the amazing timing of their meeting that day and then Norm explained that he “never” shops in Lowe’s because he prefers Home Depot. The only reason he was there was because he got lost and came in for directions then decided to get his purchase there. Needless to say…I went to camp!

This verse reminds me of “where I was on my journey”:
“When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within,
Then I was senseless and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
Nevertheless, I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand (I love how GOD reaches down and TAKES my
hand in troubled time as long as I remember to reach up to Him)
With Your counsel (read above) You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory.” PSALM 73:21-24

There, God had my full attention. As I wrote in my journal on the first day of camp: June 21, 2005

“But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My Glory and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the Lord with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. I lay down and slept; I awoke for the Lord sustains me. PSALM 3:3-5

Difficult times bring many questions …God has allowed it or has willed it so therefore I MUST pay attention!! I am searching “me” in all this. Have I disobeyed God? Have my motives been godly? I pray that God will open my eyes and my heart – to stay the course – Trust HIM completely! What an amazing God!! How He planned for to be at Camp at such perfect timing – a week devoted to Him and others/the KIDS!

Last day of camp I wrote:
Last day at camp and what a beautiful day!! All the crafts went great. An awesome week sharing and learning with the kids about Forgiveness, Thankfulness, Talents/Gifts from God and Faithfulness. I laughed all week long. I am thankful for this week as God had my full attention and I pray that I serve Him well back in the “the real world”.

Taking the time to really get off the beaten path and spend time focused on God reminded me of how much He loves me. The lengths that God goes to get our attention sometimes is mind-boggling – He sent Dean to Lowe’s at the right time, He sent Norm “off course” to meet with Dean on the right aisle; He gave instruction for Norm to share with us and I heard Him loud and clear and obeyed and went to camp. My shelter from the storm of life – just in the nick of time and exactly where He knew I would need to “pull over”.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, MY GOD in whom I trust.” PSALM 91:1-2