I had an American inconvenience today. Sometimes I wonder if I am the only one who experiences these things. Like the time, Brandon (my wonderful and handy husband) and I were up until 3 in the morning trying to unclog the sewer line through our guest bathroom. Rather, I should say he was the one trying to unclog it with a snake. I was attempting to be the positive morale supporter. And the prayer warrior. That was a rough night. Or like the time, when our clutch went out on the highway the same time a crazy flooding rain storm hit Amarillo. Seriously, dumpsters were floating down the road. Thankfully, Brandon's granny and papa came to rescue us. I would rather be reading about other's adventures and not writing about my own, but then again it is through even these "hard" American inconveniences that I am drawn closer to my God.
Brandon, our two young daughters, 2 and 4, and I were heading back on a five hour drive from spending a glorious two day vacation with family in New Mexico when our Jeep decides to break down 45 minutes from home. The Jeep is dead. Dead. Not cranking up. Nothing. We have already been sweating because the a/c didn't work great and now, no a/c and we are stuck on the side of the road. This is a true modern day American inconvenience, people. A broken down Jeep and no a/c. I am starting to be in panic mode. Brandon calls our insurance to get help with towing. Somehow the guy on the other end of the phone thinks we are in Sacramento, CA. Ummm, that is two time zones away from us. He puts Brandon on hold for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, I start noticing a few flies. And then they become too numerous to count. I try anyway. (What else I am I going to do?) There were at least 10 on the driver's seat plus 20 more on the dash....I stopped at 100. Later, I realized the dirt covered bra, bottle of scope, child's toy, plus many other things on the ground next to my door was someone's trash. This explained the fly plague we were experiencing and this, my friends, was a true American inconvenience.
It was at this point, I knew we were going to be stuck in the heat covered in flies for a while. And really the flies and heat didn't scare me, it was the semi trucks that were passing so close on this two lane highway (one passed at 75 mph every 45 seconds to 1 minute). I was beginning to freak out a little. It was then that God brought to my mind, Joshua 1:9. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." I began repeating this verse over and over for the girls to hear. I began praying out loud for protection and safety.
I had an American inconvenience today, yet God still heard me from the moments we lost power on our Jeep through the freak out moments on the side of the rode. He calmed our fears of safety and protection. He allowed the Jeep to start up enough to back up into some shade. He helped the girls stay calm and in control (while sitting buckled in carseats/seatbelts for two hours). He protected us from crazy drivers, stinging insects and the hot Texas sun. And finally he whispered in my older daughter's ear and I got to hear her sweet prayers being lifted up to Him.
An American inconvenience today? Most definitely. A God who cares and hears my every prayer? Most definitely.
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