Tripping Over Typeset

I’m one who likes to be in control– the planner of the schedule – the writer of the menu.  I’m one who doesn’t particularly like “surprises” in the journey.  And for one who does not always enjoy surprises, I’m married to one who loves the spontaneity of life.  I have many stories through our 20 years together of him deciding to change the plans for the day, go for a picnic, or drive to a festival in a distant small town with wife and small child but no wallet, food or extra diapers.  Most adventures turn out to be fun, laughable and time well spent…once I decide to let go and just enjoy the ride.

I’m reminded of those amusement park river rafting rides.  Your party of friends sit in this large round innertube with 6 to 8 seats with a wheel in the middle that we hold onto for dear life. We strap ourselves in for the ride, not knowing if we’re going to come out drenched or just sprinkled with a few drips of water.

I’ve seen some jump into these innertubes of splashing fun and try to manuever this massive rubber tube floating down these channels of water.

We toil and strive, trying to steer it away from the water jets designed to spray water into our rafts.  With complete futility, we labor and try to slow it down or somehow stop the raft before it plunges over the waterfall and drenches us completely.

No matter how much we try to stay dry, the creator of the ride has designed and built this amusement contraption to sprinkle, splash and sometimes completely drench us in the process.  Getting wet is inevitable. The builder of the ride created areas for a smooth, flowing current, dips and valleys, places of pretty landscaping but also rougher rapids, gushes of water and drenching waterfalls.  Yet in all this seemingly tormenting ride— for those longing to be in control— the creator designed the ride to have an end and for you to arrive there safely.

So how is this encouragement for your day?

Sometimes through this journey of life, we are on rides which we might not have anticipated.  We could be enjoying the smooth flowing rapids or heading towards drenching waterfalls.   The encouragement, peace and assurance comes to our ride when we rest in acknowledging the Truth that our Father directs the path.  He brings us through the rapids, the surprise gushers, and sometimes drenching waterfalls.  And as we trust in His directed path we have the assurance of knowing this ride…trial…testing will come to calmer waters, beautiful resting places and we will make it to the end of the ride as He has designed it.

As I let anxiety and worry go; releasing my controlling hands from the wheel, I can rest in knowing the Creator is in control.  He directs the ride and He is directing my way.

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.  Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)