Saturday, March 3, 2012

Stepping Back in Time

For about six hours yesterday, I was without my cell phone. No, it was not an exercise in discipline for the Lenten season. It was lost, plain and simple. I had dropped it in the parking lot at the women's ACC tournament in Greensboro. But I didn't panic because I have a sidekick that I use to text, so I could still communicate with the outside world. So I proceed with my plans to meet a college student from church for lunch and do a bit of shopping. Life is good, right? Wrong, when I get ready to meet Catherine at the hotel, my sidekick has died and I have no navigation system. Now I am digitally disconnected and I am LOST and ALONE. There are no pay phones, I'm out of town and don't know anyone well enough to ask. I am sure by now Catherine is wondering why I am not responding and has probably called Charlie to alarm him as well. As a last resort, I say a prayer. " Lord, give me patience and let me figure this out." P.S. before dark would be great! So I tried to gather myself and re-group.
My sense of direction is pretty bad but I knew I was staying near the airport so I followed signs toward "airport," but still was not at my final destination. In fact, the sign said Va State line-1 1/4 mile!
Time for prayer again. " Lord, help me figure this out.Show me a sign." And soon, I see the lights on Celebration Station and I know I am close. Finally, an hour later I get to the hotel. As I suspected, Catherine is on the phone with her dad, both worried. I began to replay the entire scenario.
The whole time I was riding around, I kept thinking how dependent we have become on technology. Our GPS has replace the ability to read a map or use road signs and landmarks. How connected we stay to one another 24-7. Talking on the cell phone is second nature. As I write this blog, I am embarrassed to say how desperate I was before prayer was a "go to" option. Doesn't this sum up our 21st century dilemma? We chose everything else to meet our needs but the ONE who can. Following Jesus means risking the safety, security, and success of this world to fully rely on God. IT TOOK ME GETTING LOST, TO FIND MY WAY!

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