When God Derails your day
By Rita Davidson
derail |dēˈrāl| • [ with obj. ] obstruct (a process) by diverting it from its intended course: the plot is seen by some as an attempt to derail the negotiations.
It started out like any other day. We planned a long drive to pick up some boxes at our old Little Flowers warehouse and figured it would take us the afternoon. I wanted to avoid making stops and going to the bank. So looking at my wallet with $40 we decided as long as we don’t stop anywhere, and get home before supper we will be fine. Weather predicted some rain, but it held off for the most part.
These were boxes we were looking forward to get since January. Donated Catholic books and a replacement Home Altar we have been waiting patiently for!
About 45minutes into our drive we started to smell rubber or something burning. We thought “oh it must be that car ahead of us?”… Or maybe that power plant we just passed, so we kept driving.
After a few minutes the smell was strong enough to open windows and we knew we had to pull over. Putting the windows down. There are some smells you never get used too, after running out of a burning house like we did.
Parked on the shoulder of the road Mark looked under the hood while I texted a friend telling her we were stranded. He filled up the oil and checked everything (that he could not being a mechanic) and I prayed and kept the boys entertained. I looked at my watch, it was 3:10, hmmm, mental note I thought. Driving cross-country there isn’t much to see but beautiful fields. We were headed to the freeway (highway) were it gets sparser and sparser the closer we get.
With Marks assurance it was just the low oil, we started out again. Seemed okay at first…After stopping briefly at a rest stop we started out again but thus time the van was shaking badly. What?!? We knew there was something very wrong. Now we were farther up the road from the last town and nothing in sight. Suddenly, a truck pulls up, asking “what’s wrong?”. They tell Mark there is a repair shop around the next corner. Sure enough there, it was behind some trees!
The diagnosis? The front caliper was seized up. And, No, he didn’t think we could drive it, as it could be dangerous. Okay so we can’t get home…
As I am standing in the office I see a large sign saying “Cash only – all vehicles must be paid in full before leaving.” Okay, mental note I thought, how much did I have on me this morning?
He went on to say they couldn’t fix it today, could we come back tomorrow. (…okay, we are stranded away from home, 4 boys in the van….this is not looking good).
He then offers to drive us home, but we would have to find a way back. (…my mind starts wondering, could we stay in the next town overnight? …How would we get back the next day?)
So, I ask him what kinds of payment will he take, I said, “I only have $40” (remember?!) and this needs to be paid before we leave with the van so I would also have to make a stop at the bank right? He agreed “yes.”
So, I tell him wait, I’m going to make a few calls and see what we can do.
Mark and I discuss it, pros and cons, money, how, where? You know how it goes the hundred questions when you can’t see above the problem in front of you. *sigh
After 10 minutes, he comes out and says, “Did you decide?” and I said, no, not really, “sorry”. He said just a minute let me check something.
A few minutes later he returns and says, “I’m going to squeeze you in and order the parts so we can get you on the road.” I said, “really?” And then he said, “..and about the money, don’t worry just pay with a cheque.”
After my astonishment,(like that sign did say CASH), we piled the boys out of the van and settled on the front lawn of this Herb’s Automotive. Thankfully we had packed one snack and an activity bag for Liam. As we sat there on the spring lawn, not yet bloomed for spring, it dawned on me we weren’t going to make it down for the boxes. Oh well…I better let them know, so I emailed them.
My mind was trying to take in everything, stand back you could say, as to how our plans had changed. The boys started coloring and snacking and we started talking and soon enough I realized this wasn’t so bad after all. I mean we had the boys, it HAD not rained, had my iphone to look up the odd curiousity or take pictures and we had all we needed for now.
Ironically, it WAS just after 3:00 in the afternoon, and we got stranded JUST a few hundred feet from the one mechanic for miles and miles around.
If that truck hadn’t stopped and told us about that automotive place, we wouldn’t never have found it. You couldn’t see it from the road. I’m almost afraid to go back and find out there is no Herb or his auto place! Eek!
But all I could think was, “how’s that for God taking care eh?”
How many times when our day gets derailed, goes off track do we lose our cool and get in a huff? We swear (maybe if your that kind?) and be defeated all day. It’s like we get so stuck in our plans (OUR WILL) that we make no plans for mistakes, change of direction.
As much as we would like our plans to go as we want them too, when they don’t stop for a moment and think. Like this one incident for us, as we sat there for two full hours I tried to think up all the reasons God could have let this happen. Here is what I came up with:
- He could be saving us from a nasty collision up the road. Amen, this is a great detour!
- He could be using us as the vehicle, for Herb to trust again, be charitable and offer us help? Amen, God can do amazing things through us that let Him.
- He could have been enforcing some rest on us, as we don’t often just relax together. Amen, okay God we just don’t take time often enough I know.
- He could have realized this would make a really good blog post for me! Amen, Thank you God for filling me with your thoughts and truth to share with others!
So, sitting there in my amazement, I took pictures!
All I could think is this is a perfect way for me to share with you, the crosses we have, but by handling them differently, being prepared for them, we are able to roll with the punches and keep going.
Someone on my Facebook page kindly wrote, I am sorry your family is suffering again.
I wrote, “Well everyone! Being stranded is not always so bad. God is always in control! we managed to find a kind mechanic who had a big heart and fixed our van so we didn’t have to worry about getting home and coming back. A two hour derailment is a great time to connect with your kids for once!! we are on the road again Praise God!”
How could we be upset when we know how good God is in control, of all that He allows to happen to us?
Thank you God for keeping us safe and bringing us back home after.
So, next time your day seems to be getting derailed by a plan of it’s own, say to God, “Okay God, I’m ready this time, what do you have planned for me today?”
When you find yourself overwhelmed with what God sends you, say, “I can do all things with Christ who strengthens me”.
Be sure to pray for this strength every day, for His will to be done in your life, and then be ready for the changes He sends your way. Life can be an amazing adventure, if you just BELIEVE. 🙂
God bless you,
With love,
Rita xo 🙂
©Copyright 2014 Rita Davidson All Rights Reserved.
Rita is a Catholic wife, and mother of seven, with three autistic boys. Currently a writer, & published author, she is a former hairdresser, professional make up artist with a degree in Natural Health. She is now a Young Living Distributor. After overcoming a stroke, disabilities, and more, they recently lost everything in a devastating house fire that made them homeless for six months. She is determined to lead souls back to Christ by carrying their crosses with Joy!
Leave a Reply