My brother and I were in the back seat of our station wagon doing what we did best: arguing over back seat rights. We were notorious for dividing the seat down the middle and declaring, “My side and don’t you cross it.” We were traveling home from our grandparents house, arguing as usual and not listening or adhering to the threats coming from our father while driving.
“If you two don’t stop arguing, I am going to pull over and let you out!” bellowed Daddy. Mom pleaded with us from the passenger seat knowing dad was going to make good on his threat. Not phasing our stubborn attempts of conquering the back seat, we continued arguing. It was getting louder and the shouting match soon became a fist fight slugging from each other’s side.
Having enough of the two of us in the back, Daddy pulled the car over. Immediately, we knew he was about to kick us out of the wagon and instantly turned into angels complete with wings and halos. It was dark outside and we were a mile away from the house. We didn’t want to leave the safety of the wagon.
Dad’s simple words, “Get out.” had enough anger and frustration behind them to scare the bravest man alive. We opened the doors and climbed out of the wagon into the dark along the road to home. Hearts racing and fear climbing up our throats, we forgot how much we couldn’t stand each other and quickly grabbed hands to run home. Needless to say, the stark truth that we were walking home alone in the dark was frightening.
What we didn’t realize was that after Dad got home, he started on foot along the road masked behind the wooden area to walk along side of us. He was making sure that we got home safely without us knowing he was there. He wanted us to learn the lesson of obeying him and yet he kept an eye out for us as we traveled home.
Now that I am grown, I see many times in my life that I disobeyed God for one reason or the other. I was left traveling along life in the dark and felt alone. Yet, God was there waiting for me to call out for him just as my dad had done so many years before. If my brother and I had encountered anything or anyone, dad was in the bushes near by to come to our aide. All those times, I thought I was alone when God was there to come to my aide.
Perhaps, if we had only adhered to Dad’s threats in the first place, we wouldn’t have had to walk in the dark that night. Could it be if I had continually been following God’s path or allowed God the chance to take full control of a situation, I would not have had to walk through those times of my life in the dark and alone? I think my Dad and my Heavenly Father both allowed me to experience the fear, loneliness and the dark in order for me to grow and to follow instructions. Do you think it worked? I do believe it has…..my brother and I never fought over the backseat again and I have honestly tried to keep my eyes focused on God and his purpose for me so that I don’t have to walk in the dark all alone.
God Bless….
Well
