This last week I made an unexpected, last minute cross country road trip moving my son, Dan, to Phoenix for a new job. All of his furnishings and belongings were loaded in a 16’ U Haul truck towing behind his car.
After a second night’s hotel stay, we poured into the U Haul at 3 am. It was pitch black out and I was the designated driver for that leg of the journey. It is really eerie driving an unfamiliar vehicle into the sheer darkness of the night. This was new territory for me and so dark. And while driving into the dark sky, I was never sure what may jump out at us from the side as there were signs warning of animals for the next several miles.
As I drove, I was comforted by any light that I saw and also by my prayers that God would provide the way and a hedge of protection for us. The darkness and the silence (other than occasional signs from my son and his dog!) became very serene and enjoyable. It actually became a time that I treasured.
The moment did make me think about what it is like to journey through life on our own without the strength and reassuring presence of a relationship with God. Without God’s reassurance at that time, I was simply Patti, a driver of my own accord driving into the darkness and unknown only of my own energy and ability. I realize that many people feel that this is enough, or all that there is, but I want to say to all of them that there is so much more!!! There is so much more for us beyond our own intellect, our own strength and our own abilities. That made all the difference for me that night.
So that journey is over and my son is settled in Phoenix for the next leg of his journey of life. And for me, I am filled with a heart of thanks for the provision that God has given to us for a safe journey and for the gift of time.
Pastor Patti
Archived Posts
Let’s Not Overlook Joseph of Nazareth
I asked my research assistant—a certain ChatGPT—what the most interesting facet of Joseph’s life might be. She shared a couple of things that didn’t make it into Sunday’s sermon but you might still find inspirational...
Key Takeaway from Sunday
If I had to identify a specific take away from
Sunday’s sermon it would probably be this:
The Rest of the Story
I mentioned Russell Conwell in Sunday’s message. He was a famous preacher, educator, and lecturer. His sermon/lecture “Acres of Diamonds” was turned into a book and sold rather well. I used Conwell’s illustrations to talk about sharing the good news of Jesus with those closest to us first—family, friends, coworkers, and church family. The wider world is our ultimate aim, but until you invest in the people God has already put in your life, you are unlikely to have much success.
No One Said It Would be Easy
To love Jesus first is to learn to love all the other people in our lives with greater intensity and less selfishness
What’s Saved Is Often Lost
Here’s the benediction we didn’t have time for yesterday (Sunday, November 3). It’s one of my favorite quotations (portions of a newspaper column). I hope you find it as inspiring as I have
Leftovers Continued…
It’s not just the fact that God is un-impressed by our leftovers, it actually goes deeper than that. In a sense, Jesus is passionately and purposely opposed to anything leftover. To be a follower of Jesus Christ is to work diligently to make sure that in the end nothing at all is left over.
Less Stuff and Fewer Wants
Here’s a point I left off Sunday’s sermon due to time and length. In dealing with an Entitled mindset it is very helpful if you can Reduce Materialism and Consumerism.