UR: Unexpected Route

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." ~John 16:33 (NAS)

Surely it isn't morning already! Oh, but it is! Ten until six. Ten more minutes to nestle in my "tickle-lock-all-the-way-round" Hiding Place.

In those last ten minutes I remind the Lord of some people about whom I am very concerned (as if He needed to be reminded), I remind myself of things I need to do today, and head to get ready for work.

I have no idea each day at ten until six what was going to come into my life. God knows. Every day of my life was written down in His book before there was a single day of my life lived! That is so utterly awesome! Not that He planned it! He permitted it! He saw it with His omniscience before I was born! He knew I was going to have rough days, days where I would face Unexpected Routes, days where I would meet tribulation face to face! He knew, too, that I would need Him, especially on those days when my world had taken an unexpected spin and He tried so hard to convince me that He was going to be with me, no matter what Unexpected Route I might face.

So what do I need to do in this world of Unexpected Routes? I need to expect them, not think that life is one long birthday party with ice cream and cake! Unexpected Routes are going to be a part of my life as long as I am on Planet Earth! Think of your favorite Bible story. Was there an Unexpected Route in the story? Your favorite Bible character. Was there an Unexpected Route in his/her life? The people around you who are dealing with an Unexpected Route now! In my world today I have a dear one with cancer facing chemo; a dear one with divorce in her family; and a dear one who has family that left this earth just last night, but is now pain free and loving Heaven! Unexpected Routes abound all around us!

God doesn't protect us from Unexpected Routes; He goes through the Unexpected Route with us, meeting that Unexpected Route with calmness, a confidence, an acceptance that shocks us because we know we are not capable of doing that! He does it through me! Does that mean I won't fold at all, that I'll be a "cool cucumber" all the way through? Hardly! Folding is very much a part of life and a necessary part! God made us. He knew there would be times when we would fold. That's one of the reasons He gave us adrenaline!

So God looks at my book and says, "Hmmm. Stephanie is going to have an Unexpected Route today, a very difficult one. I'm so glad that she has learned through the years that her strength is in Me. I love her so much and I do not want her to face these Unexpected Routes without Me."

"The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you;
He will be with you.
He will not fail you or forsake you.
Do not fear or be dismayed."
Deuteronomy 31:8

Thank You my precious Jesus for loving me so much, for watching over me so carefully, for being with me constantly. You know my heart. You know that I don't always cling to Your hand tightly like I need to or nestle close to You, but I long to face each Unexpected Route in Your strength, drawing from Your infinite supply of love.

Goodnight, dear Lord. I'm heading for my "tickle-lock-all-the-way-round" Hiding Place - YOU!