Frustration and Giggles

When you least expect it and cannot spare the time, something always happens . . . or so it seems. They had purchased a new desk. Of course after they paid for it, the store informed them they were out of stock except for the display model. However, they would be happy to ship it to their home at no additional charge. GRRRRR, well maybe that wasn't so bad.

So, the desk would be delivered on Thursday. Then Thursday the call came that it would be Friday instead Thursday. Sigh . . . okay. They promised to call before delivery. Friday comes--morning passes, mid-day passes; afternoon is almost over when finally the call comes. The truck is leaving Fulton, but the driver is unwilling to take the curvy, narrow road into town; if you want the desk you have to meet him at the nearest highway junction 20 miles away.

So, they head into town. Trying to call the person due at their home within an hour, they couldn't connect. He had his phone shut off. GRRRRR. So they left a message and virtually flew over the hill roads. Reaching the highway, the truck was nowhere to be found, so they decided to drive through McD's for something to drink as they waited in the near 100 degree heat.

As they wait in line to pay, a familiar truck pulls off the highway and enters McD's. Rotten rat wouldn't answer his phone, but was getting a treat along the way. He had to be behind them in line, or knowing him; he had parked and gone inside, so the son decided to sneak up and surprise his dad.

She moved forward in the line to the window to pick up the drinks. Standing at the inside counter ordering was her husband. As the employee opened the window she said, "the guy at the counter with the cowboy hat--move I need to yell at him." And she did. He looked around. She called out again as she took the drinks from the attendant. He looked at her as she waved and drove forward (intending to wait for him by his truck).

She hears her name as he comes running out the door, chasing her to the corner of the building. Hot on his heels is an employee running after him with an ice cream cone in her hand, calling, "Sir, sir, your cone. Sir?" She stops the car. He stops beside her with a puzzled look on his face and the employee barely stops from plunging into him with the ice cream.

"What are you doing here?" he asks.

"Why are you eating ice cream?" she asks.

"Uh . . . I was hungry?"

"Your son and I are picking up his desk. The delivery truck refuses to drive the last twenty miles, so we came to meet it here."

"Where is he?"

"Probably at your truck--get in."

They drive around to the parking area as the truck pulls out and moves over to the delivery truck which has finally arrived. They all park and get out. She arranges the back, folding seats down, as they guys get the unassembled desk to put in the car. The pallet it had rested on was a bonus that got thrown in the back of the pickup. Then they both headed the last miles to their home, traveling the hills and curves as only those who live in the area could do

There was nothing that unusual about the road. It was a two-lane black-top winding through, over, and around the limestone bluffs leading to the bottom land around the river. It had grassed shoulders--sort of with nothing too steep or startling along the way. It was a pretty drive, but to those who don't know its curves and bends, a bit unsettling. However, once you learned its ways--a beautiful scenic drive down to the river bottom. The delivery driver had nothing to fear or difficult along the way, he was simply unwilling to go into the unknown with his 18-wheeler.

That is often how we find ourselves in life. We are frightened of what we don't know . . . afraid of change . . . insecure and not willing to take a chance. Walking with God is often similar. We don't know where the path will take us. We don't know where it will lead. We don't know how hard, or how narrow it might be.

If we don't risk the unknown, we think we are safer. Instead, we miss out on beautiful vistas, breathtaking views, and the calm assurance of God's presence in the valleys as well as the high places. If we are unwilling to explore, to take a chance, to move from the comfortable, known to the new we will miss incredible people and relationships along the way. Blessings that are waiting for us to discover simply dissipate. Our lives are not as rich. We may miss some frustration along the way, but we also miss the giggles.

Unexplored Creator, help us to open our eyes and our lives to you and teach us as we walk unknown, unexplored paths. Give us a hunger and thirst to follow your ways. So be it. Amen.