The Detour
A young couple was leaving home to begin a much-needed vacation. They lived hectic lives, stress had been mounting, and they had been planning a week of peaceful get-away for months. The car was packed with everything they’d need at the cabin and the address was keyed into the Maps app on the phone.
“We should be arriving in an hour and 15 minutes,” Charlie said with excitement.
“I can’t wait,” Stacy replied. “No stops, PLEASE!”
Off they drove, sharing visions and dreams of fishing, hiking, and relaxing in the coming days. An hour into the drive, Charlie noticed an orange sign in the distance.
“Is that a detour sign ahead,” he asked?
“You’ve GOT to be KIDDING me,” sighed the exasperated partner.
Sure enough, the map hadn’t picked up the coming road closure. Following the sign onto a small county road, the Maps app recalculated, adding another hour to the trip. Stacy’s head dropped into her hands with a painful groan.
Charlie drove up the winding road that seemed to be getting steeper by the mile. Fifteen minutes later they crested to an incredible view. Their jaws dropped as they turned and looked at each other.
“Are we in heaven,” Stacy whispered in awe?
Charlie steered the car into a pull-out and shut off the ignition. They walked to the retaining wall and snapped pictures on their phones. The view looked like a perfect painting. Large pine trees made up the expansive forest along the ridge. The sun reflected off the jagged rock horizon creating the image of metallic copper. And cattle were grazing in the grassy meadow below along a sparkling creek that ran through the valley.
They sat quietly, taking in the beautiful scene. No need for words. The birds were chirping. The couple’s lungs filled with cool fresh air and the smell of pine needles wafted into their nostrils. Charlie closed his eyes and smiled, “This IS heaven.”
Moments later Stacy affirmed, “Thank God for detours.”
Sometimes in our hurry to get to a destination, we miss the journey. I want to encourage you, Lord of Grace, that even if it feels like you have run into a detour, there is much to enjoy about the journey. Trust our Divine Guide.
Peace, Pastor Randy