For March 6th:

“The sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”  Habakkuk 3:19(New Living Translation)

Recently I had planned a trip to Fredericksburg, Virginia for my grandson’s first birthday party.  I would be driving the 530 mile trip alone so I had done all the responsible things – had the car serviced, had the tires checked, trying to prepare for any contingency.  On January 17, the day before I was to leave, the National Weather Service issued a major Winter Storm Warning for the very route I was to drive – straight up Interstate 81!  As a born and bred Southerner, I never had to learn to drive in snow and have always had a fear of it.  After much agonizing about going or not going, I decided to leave much earlier than originally planned and try to beat the storm.  The morning of my departure, as I was asking for God’s travel mercies, I felt God was saying to me “I have given you a level head and the ability to make good choices – just rely on me and I will guide you.” 

Buckets of rain poured until almost mid-way of my journey.  I’ve driven the route so often that I have favorite places to stop for gas and food breaks - some stretches through the mountains of Virginia are pretty desolate.  My plan was to get to an exit about an hour further away when I felt a strong sense of God urging me to get off the interstate NOW.  I did and during the 10 minutes it took me to get gas and some bottled water the pouring rain changed to sleet.  Hard, fast accumulating sleet!  I had not noticed when I got off at the exit but there was a Hampton Inn right across the street from the gas station.  I checked in and within a couple of hours the roads were completely covered with snow.  Had I tried to continue on, I most likely would have gotten stranded on the road.  All through the night as the snow continued to fall and the hotel lost power I was just so grateful to be safe and warm – I had a profound sense of peace about what I would face the next day. 

The next morning I opened my copy of “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (2009) and that day’s message seemed tailored just for me.  It said in part:

I am leading you along the high road.  In the distance you see snow covered peaks glistening in brilliant sunlight.  Your longing to reach those peaks is good, but you must not take shortcuts.  Your assignment is to follow Me, allowing Me to direct your path. 

Learn to trust me when things go wrong.  Disruptions to your routine (or travel plans!) highlight your dependence on me.  Trusting acceptance of trials brings blessings that far outweigh them all.  Walk hand in hand with me through this day.  I have lovingly planned every inch of the way.

When I went down to check on the road conditions, the sun was shining bright, the roads had been plowed and traffic was moving at speed limit.  I arrived at my destination safely and well rested after a long night of trusting sleep in the Lord!

Sandra Wagner