If I had to describe my outlook on life, I would reply: “Always move forward.”
Did you instantly think of how I constantly move around because can’t stand to sit still? Can’t blame you there, but I am referring to life in general. A good example of this recently happened as I was driving to work one morning.
I have been working in the Bearden area. This one morning, I took my usual route and caught I-640W at Washington Pike. As I neared the exit ramps for I-75, I noticed many red brake lights in the distance. Once past the exits, I realized I-640W was backed up to where traffic from Clinton Hwy. merged onto it.
My first thought was, “No way!”
There was no way I was going to inch along in that traffic for miles. That would be so frustrating. Immediately, I took the Clinton Hwy. exit for northbound traffic. At that point, my mind was reeling. How was I going to get to Papermill from where I was?
Then I noticed traffic turning left onto Tillery Road, which turns into Gap Road. In case you are unfamiliar with it, that is the road next to the “Northern Tools” store. I followed along behind the other cars. For some reason, I had it in my mind that Gap Road would run into Pleasant Ridge Road. Then I could take that road and make it on through to Western and then on to Papermill.
Wrong!
The more I drove, the more I realized not only was I not going to get on Pleasant Ridge, but I had no real idea where I was and where I was heading.
Could I have turned around and gone back to the interstate? Yes, but I had no intention of doing that. So, I just kept driving forward. Soon Gap Road dead-ended into another road. I turned right (west) since I thought that would lead me toward to Western.
Again, the more I drove, the more I realized I wasn’t I had no idea where I was. Soon I came to a red light at an intersection. I had to face the fact that I was technically lost. To be quite honest, it was a somewhat unsettling since I was by myself and there wasn’t a lot of other cars around.
As I sat at the red light, I realized I was going to have to find a decent place to pull off the road and check my phone to see where I was and how I could get to Western Avenue.
Did I regret getting off the interstate? No, because I was moving forward and not just inching along in traffic.
“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:15 (KJV)
The apostle Paul often used Roman imagery when he wrote. Roman soldiers always wore sandals into battle. That enabled them to quickly move forward and to have protection while they did so. I think as believers we should always peacefully move forward in our faith and our witness to others. Have no fear for The Lord will be with us every step of the way. But, if you stay in your comfortable place, you are literally going nowhere fast. Or as my mother likes to say: “You’re just spinning your wheels.”
At that point, I noticed a KAT bus approaching the intersection from the road opposite of me. The first thing I noticed was the sign across its top flashing: “Western Avenue.” The bus had its left turn signal on, so I turned right. Within minutes, I was on Western Avenue. I knew it was no coincidence that the KAT bus was at that intersection the exact time I needed to see its sign. I thanked God for his guidance and my newly discovered detour.
Keep those wheels spinning!
Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.