Birds Eye View

photo © 2009 David Fulmer | more info (via: Wylio)

My recent experience with rush hour driving has taught me a lot! One day as we drove across the overpass bridge to get to the on-ramp, we saw that traffic was backed up as far as we could see. Quick! Alternate route needed!

I hit the "detour" button on the GPS, which instructed me to take Highway 50 -- that was a quarter mile behind us, so it meant turning around. I gazed over at Ben, anxious that he'd be late to golf camp but working hard not to be mad about it, and said, "Dude, I'm not taking 50. Trust me, okay? We're going up Route 42. It's gonna work out."

"Okay, Mom." His white knuckles didn't match his words, but I sure appreciated his effort.

Traffic headed toward 42 was heavy, but moving. We got there in only three light cycles -- not too bad. I turned on the radio to catch the local morning traffic report, just in time to hear, "Traffic out of Johnston County is slow going." Blah blah blah highway parking lot... "And there's a wreck on Highway 50 northbound slowing the alternate route as well." The reporter said to relax and take our time.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Ben glancing at the speedometer. In my head, I said, "Yep. Speed limit. Apparently they don't know about this route." But I didn't say anything. He was working through his worry his way.

We made it to golf camp -- with a whole minute to spare! As he got out, I told him how proud I was that he stayed calm. "Thanks, Mom." And off he went.

Driving home, I thought about that bridge. Had we not had a birds eye view of traffic, we would have been stuck in that mess. I thought about my quick decision to take Hwy 42 instead of the GPS suggested route -- after a silently offered prayer of "Which way, God?"

Then I realized, God's always got the bird's eye view. He knows which way I should go -- not just when I'm driving, but when I'm parenting, serving, working, writing... even when I'm shopping. That plan of His -- Jeremiah 29:11 -- is meant for every moment of my day. I, too, can have a bird's eye view, if I just stop and pray, "Which way, God? Which way?"