Life is full of detours, challenges, and distractions that take us off course. Sometimes it can be due to circumstances out of our control, like road construction or a wreck. Other times the detours are of our own doing. Since we are all on a journey, let’s talk about the detours of life.
The Road to Indiana from Florida
We set off on a good note. Carmen and I, and Weegee (our pet and best dog ever), loaded ourselves in the rental car and left Florida for Indiana.
As a typical guy, I like to get where I am going as quickly as possible in a nice straight line, as the crow flies. Throughout the week we took several detours. Some were in the way of plans going awry. Some were driving from one point to another. Following are a few fun examples for you to laugh with me about…
A Simple Stop On The Way
Bless Carmen’s heart (I love you Honey), she is so directionally challenged. I asked her to line up an Airbnb for our stay going to Indiana and coming home. So conveniently she lined up the same one for both ways – perfect. My instructions were, “Just get one somewhere around Valdosta.” Yep, just north of Valdosta is where we made our exit….40 minutes later and straight west from our north/south route, we were at the Airbnb. I failed to tell her, “Near the interstate Honey.” That’s almost an hour and a half total detoured off-course if you are calculating with me <<grumble, grumble>>
Storms of Life…Sometimes They Follow You
So later in the week, we were with our friends the Middletons and Riesterers. We took the Middleton boat over to the Boathouse to the Swan Dive restaurant and were quickly seated in some great outdoor seats for a late lunch. It wasn’t a half hour through it that we got what was left of Hurricane Laura, now a tropical storm still spinning storms off in her fury, as we watched the rain work its way across the lake right at us. It had skirted around Florida but caught up with us in Indiana. It rained so hard we couldn’t see halfway across the lake. We were now detoured with our day. Carmen and I, from Florida, were experiencing a tropical storm in Indiana. What a fun memory – really!
Oh Yeah, We Didn’t Tell You We Are Doing a Ceremony
Just a few weeks before we were at our son’s reception as he and his wife had eloped. While enjoying our time visiting our son’s new mother-in-law asked me how we were going to do the ‘sand’ ceremony in reenacting the vows before family and friends. After shaking off the deer in the headlights look, I quickly adjusted to the detour and pulled off the ceremony.
Zig-Zagging Instead of the Straight Path
There was also the golf outing with the new side of the family and the groom the next day. Last time I had golfed? Too long to remember. Talk about being detoured. That little white ball made me chase it every which way but down the fairway and into the hole – shall we say there were several detours in zig-zagging down the fairway? And my body paid for all the hacking (attempted adjustments) the next 3-4 days. ☹
Detours Sometimes Lead Us Back To Where We Started
Then there was the drive home, back to Florida. It was going all too smoothly. Even got through Nashville TN without coming up on any wrecks. But not too long after that, we came up on construction. Good thing I had my handy dandy GPS turned on! It alerted me of an alternative route that was going to save me more than 30 minutes! Yes! As we wound back over the top of I-75 on this detour, we got a great view of the miles-long stopped traffic. This was awesome.
A few minutes later we were coming back around to I-75 and back to the onramp to continue our journey well ahead of all the stopped traffic. As we came to the ramp, there were barricades and two state troopers blocking the way. Beyond belief, there was construction taking place at the bottom of the ramp that would not allow us to re-enter. GPS wanted us to get back on I-75 and head back in the opposite direction and then loop back around at the next off/on ramp – a detour for our detour.
I Was Too Smart To Fall For That
Not doing it! As a guy, it didn’t make sense to backtrack. So we went our own way with Fleetwood Mac playing in my head, “Go Your Own Way” as I drove on. So we did, through the woods, over dirt and gravel roads, right past grandma’s house, and finally back onto the interstate…probably right where we would have been had we just stayed in line with the rest of the traffic on I-75.
Then, after a nice night’s rest Sunday night in southern Georgia (40 minutes off the path), we hit the road. First stop, Starbucks. Carmen ‘googled’ it and we found one about 10 miles down the road….2 miles down I-75, and 8 MILES OFF THE INTERSTATE – bless her heart. 😊
After grumbling a little about this and a half hour later, we were back on the road. Coming upon the next exit (only 2 miles from getting back on I-75) there it was, as pretty as you please. A Starbucks right there right off the exit – a little more grumbling took place as we passed by. haha
Proverbs 4:2, 10-15, 18-27 niv
Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.
11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. 8 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. 20 My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[c] paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Challenge of the Week
Let Jesus be your GPS. Carmen and I call it God’s Planned Surprises. When there are detours, He knows the best path to get you back on track. His word is the true north, and the best GPS for the path of your life. God’s word is the light unto your path. Start using it today. So be it!
