Usually battles of Katie Vs. GPS are victorious. Common sense trumps machine, right?
Yesterday I tried to outsmart my five year old GPS yet again. I lost. Something about having never been to that town before should have clued me in to the fact that it was not a good idea. The "seven hours to destination" didn't turn off my creative mind either. Since I needed to go east (seven hours east), I decided to turn on the east-bound side of the highway rather than the west-bound like Eunice (my GPS) was telling me.
Well, Eunice is persistent and after a few miles of "Make a U-turn" and "Turn around when possible," I decided to pull over in the parking lot of a country Baptist church and check the rest of her directions.
Going west to get east made no sense. Going west one mile to pick up a straight-shot east-bound freeway did make more sense. Eunice was right. Although the logic seemed backwards, the directions were correct. Going west was a short jog out of the way that would lead directly to my destination... in seven hours. I made a U-turn when possible.
Sometimes God and I argue like I do with my GPS. For some reason I have this tendency to think I'm smarter, my common sense more sound, and my ideas better. So I turn east to get east. Surely God's directions to go west were a detour but the road isn't closed anymore.
Except, unlike me, God sees the full set of instructions. He knows about the freeway one mile west and the direct shot, 70mph, it'll take me to my destination.
Sorry, Lord. I did it again. I deliberately ignored Your directions and followed my own. I thought I knew a better way. I was wrong and lost. Thank You for being persistent and not giving up on me.
<>< Katie
Showing posts with label directions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label directions. Show all posts
Monday, October 10, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Lost In His Will
I enjoy getting lost.
Sometimes in my car, but more often when I'm on foot (and it's not cold outside).
Over Christmas break, I spent four days getting lost in Rochester, Minnesota. My only goal for my four days there was to get lost (and un-lost) in the Mayo Clinic without getting locked in or needing my jacket (aka going outside). If you've never been to Mayo, you may not understand the vastness of the clinic. It pretty much covers the whole town and is connected by underground pedestrian subways. It's huge!
In my getting lost, I walked towards beautiful architecture and away from anatomically-correct statues. I didn't stop for directions, didn't stop to wonder if I was allowed to be where I was, and didn't carry a map. I wasn't bothered by dead-ends, told myself elevators were cheating, and read every sign (a dangerous thing to do in a clinic). It was so much fun!
I want to get lost in life. Lost in God's will. I want to be content without a map. I want to enjoy the journey rather than take the elevator and race to the top. I want to be comforted with His directions and read every sign along the way.
"Do you need directions?" The man asked as I glanced down my three hallway choices. Each a white tunnel in your perfect, stereotypical intersection.
"No, I'm just wandering," I said.
"Well, then you're in a good place because you can go just about anywhere from here."
That is where I am in the pedestrian subway that is life. I'm at an intersection where I can go any way from here. I know that in any path, God will use me where I am. Yet, still, the decision of which path to choose is incredible difficult.
When lost in Rochester, I trusted that there was a way back to my hotel that did not require a jacket/ going outside. I would not have to leave Mayo property to get back home. Likewise, I trust that there is a way heaven-home that does not require stepping out of the will of God. As long as I keep walking, He'll continue to show me the way. And maybe I'll run into beautiful things along the way.
I want to get lost in His Will,
<>< Katie
PS: Here are some photos from my exploring Mayo.
Sometimes in my car, but more often when I'm on foot (and it's not cold outside).
Over Christmas break, I spent four days getting lost in Rochester, Minnesota. My only goal for my four days there was to get lost (and un-lost) in the Mayo Clinic without getting locked in or needing my jacket (aka going outside). If you've never been to Mayo, you may not understand the vastness of the clinic. It pretty much covers the whole town and is connected by underground pedestrian subways. It's huge!
In my getting lost, I walked towards beautiful architecture and away from anatomically-correct statues. I didn't stop for directions, didn't stop to wonder if I was allowed to be where I was, and didn't carry a map. I wasn't bothered by dead-ends, told myself elevators were cheating, and read every sign (a dangerous thing to do in a clinic). It was so much fun!
I want to get lost in life. Lost in God's will. I want to be content without a map. I want to enjoy the journey rather than take the elevator and race to the top. I want to be comforted with His directions and read every sign along the way.
"Do you need directions?" The man asked as I glanced down my three hallway choices. Each a white tunnel in your perfect, stereotypical intersection.
"No, I'm just wandering," I said.
"Well, then you're in a good place because you can go just about anywhere from here."
That is where I am in the pedestrian subway that is life. I'm at an intersection where I can go any way from here. I know that in any path, God will use me where I am. Yet, still, the decision of which path to choose is incredible difficult.
When lost in Rochester, I trusted that there was a way back to my hotel that did not require a jacket/ going outside. I would not have to leave Mayo property to get back home. Likewise, I trust that there is a way heaven-home that does not require stepping out of the will of God. As long as I keep walking, He'll continue to show me the way. And maybe I'll run into beautiful things along the way.
I want to get lost in His Will,
<>< Katie
PS: Here are some photos from my exploring Mayo.
(Isn't that the most beautiful Barnes & Noble ever?)
Thursday, May 6, 2010
She's Nuts
I appreciate Neal.
I don't always appreciate it when he sticks his finger into my ear, reprimands me in my dreams, gives me weird directions, or throws his dead skin cells in my face. But all in all, I appreciate Neal for everything he does.
The other day I was complaining about doing my devotion and reading the wrong passage. I'd read seven chapters in 1 Kings instead of four chapters in 2 Kings. Oops. Since he's our campus minister, I was really expecting him to call me out on the fact that I was complaining about reading the Word of God. Sometimes Nealio doesn't respond the way I expect (see the dead skin cells blog).
"You know how to get through those long Old Testament passages, right? Walk around, reading aloud, and act them out."
Neal's one of those people that if he gives me advice or a direct command, I should probably listen. Neal says "Jump;" I say, "How high?" Thus, I'm going to give it a try. So, if I'm walking around talking to myself: don't panic; I'm just doing my devotion.
"But don't do this with Song of Solomon," he added. Thanks.
Are you willing to look silly and try it with me?
<>< Katie
I don't always appreciate it when he sticks his finger into my ear, reprimands me in my dreams, gives me weird directions, or throws his dead skin cells in my face. But all in all, I appreciate Neal for everything he does.
The other day I was complaining about doing my devotion and reading the wrong passage. I'd read seven chapters in 1 Kings instead of four chapters in 2 Kings. Oops. Since he's our campus minister, I was really expecting him to call me out on the fact that I was complaining about reading the Word of God. Sometimes Nealio doesn't respond the way I expect (see the dead skin cells blog).
"You know how to get through those long Old Testament passages, right? Walk around, reading aloud, and act them out."
Neal's one of those people that if he gives me advice or a direct command, I should probably listen. Neal says "Jump;" I say, "How high?" Thus, I'm going to give it a try. So, if I'm walking around talking to myself: don't panic; I'm just doing my devotion.
"But don't do this with Song of Solomon," he added. Thanks.
Are you willing to look silly and try it with me?
<>< Katie
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Katie, Come This Way
There are certain people in my life that when they address me by name and give me a command, I've learned it's generally a good idea to listen to them. Even if what they're telling me doesn't really make sense, I still try to follow. Normally, their command is from God, whether they realize it or not.
This weekend, I was at a retreat and I was unsure how to get from the cafeteria to where our next meeting was to be held. I wandered over and asked people who should know. We all just had a guess, but Neal pointed about twelve or one o'clock (if we were the center of the clock, it was point to where twelve or one o'clock would be). He explained you go behind the next building and angle that way. He then pulled out the map and explained where we had to go. Ok, got a rough idea of the direction I'm headed, straight that way, dodge the buildings, maybe rent a helicopter.
A little while later, when we were leaving, all of my friends headed towards the door at one o'clock (the direction we were told to go), but Neal headed to nine o'clock. What? Ten minutes earlier he'd pointed straight ahead, said, "Go that way" and now he's telling me to go a different direction. I hesitated awkwardly unsure exactly where to go.
"Katie, come this way," I heard from behind me. Neal was standing there watching me try to decide where to go. I must have had a confused look on my face when I turned around because he quickly explained. "If they go out there, they'll have to weave around on the sidewalk. This way is a straight shot."
Wait a second. You just pointed "north" and now you're telling me going "west" to get "north" is a direction shot? This doesn't make sense. But he's one of those people I described earlier, so I followed.
Well, needless to say Neal was right. Our path was straighter than theirs and we got there sooner. (We also had better conversation along that way, but that's beside the point).
God does the same thing. He gives you a glimpse of where you need to be (go that way, dodge the buildings, maybe rent a helicopter), and then leads you in a totally different direction. Thinking your way is going to be better, you argue and try to blaze your own trail, only to eventually follow and realize He was right all along. (The conversation is better His way, too).
<>< Katie
This weekend, I was at a retreat and I was unsure how to get from the cafeteria to where our next meeting was to be held. I wandered over and asked people who should know. We all just had a guess, but Neal pointed about twelve or one o'clock (if we were the center of the clock, it was point to where twelve or one o'clock would be). He explained you go behind the next building and angle that way. He then pulled out the map and explained where we had to go. Ok, got a rough idea of the direction I'm headed, straight that way, dodge the buildings, maybe rent a helicopter.
A little while later, when we were leaving, all of my friends headed towards the door at one o'clock (the direction we were told to go), but Neal headed to nine o'clock. What? Ten minutes earlier he'd pointed straight ahead, said, "Go that way" and now he's telling me to go a different direction. I hesitated awkwardly unsure exactly where to go.
"Katie, come this way," I heard from behind me. Neal was standing there watching me try to decide where to go. I must have had a confused look on my face when I turned around because he quickly explained. "If they go out there, they'll have to weave around on the sidewalk. This way is a straight shot."
Wait a second. You just pointed "north" and now you're telling me going "west" to get "north" is a direction shot? This doesn't make sense. But he's one of those people I described earlier, so I followed.
Well, needless to say Neal was right. Our path was straighter than theirs and we got there sooner. (We also had better conversation along that way, but that's beside the point).
God does the same thing. He gives you a glimpse of where you need to be (go that way, dodge the buildings, maybe rent a helicopter), and then leads you in a totally different direction. Thinking your way is going to be better, you argue and try to blaze your own trail, only to eventually follow and realize He was right all along. (The conversation is better His way, too).
I'm sure Neal would like me to point out that he is not God. He could have very easily led me astray and gotten us lost. However, I have reason to believe that he would have (eventually) gotten us unlost, too. God, on the other hand, will not get you lost, but when you get yourself lost, He's there ready to do an excellent job of getting you unlost.
In Christ,<>< Katie
"Jehovah said to mankind, 'Where are you?'" Genesis 3:9 (as told by Neal)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Road Map
God spoke to me in science the other day... it was really weird (even for me)... I have to think about it some more before I can tell you about it... instead, I heard this today.
Personally, everytime I see a map, typically a weather map, I search for my home state. Usually it's not on there, but I still automatically look for it everytime. They say you've really moved when you stop watching the weather for your old home... I guess I haven't really moved yet.
Life is like a road map. Some people open it up and find where they want to go. Some people open it up and look at where they've been. Some people open it up and search for their current location. Some people can't even get the thing unfolded!
What do you look for when someone hands you the road map of life? The places you've been? Where you are currently? Where you want to go? Have you even managed to get the map open yet?
OK... Since I started typing the last paragraph God has told me something else to tell you... are you ready? It's a bit out there...
Sometime between when last semester ended and this semester started, Sam's Choice changed the bottle for their bottled water. How do I know that? I buy Sam's Choice while at school and didn't buy it all summer long... I think this new bottle is more economically friendly because it uses less plastic or something. I don't really know.
Anyway. This new bottle uses less plastic and therefore is thinner. When it's full, the bottle is firm. As the water disappears (and your body becomes more hydrated... yay water!) the bottle becomes less firm. It moves around very easily and doesn't keep it's solid structure. Once the water is gone, it's like you could pop it with your bare hands.
When we fill ourselves with Christ (or allow Him to fill us with Him, if you prefer), there's not much Satan can do to break us. But, little by little, if we allow him (Satan) to work at us and work at us and spend less time with Christ: we become more flimsy. If we try to exist, completely without Christ, like the empty bottle, it doesn't take much for the enemy to destory us.
Does that make sense?
Road maps and water bottles. I promise, the one from class is even more creative. :-)
<>< Katie
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11
Personally, everytime I see a map, typically a weather map, I search for my home state. Usually it's not on there, but I still automatically look for it everytime. They say you've really moved when you stop watching the weather for your old home... I guess I haven't really moved yet.
Life is like a road map. Some people open it up and find where they want to go. Some people open it up and look at where they've been. Some people open it up and search for their current location. Some people can't even get the thing unfolded!
What do you look for when someone hands you the road map of life? The places you've been? Where you are currently? Where you want to go? Have you even managed to get the map open yet?
OK... Since I started typing the last paragraph God has told me something else to tell you... are you ready? It's a bit out there...
Sometime between when last semester ended and this semester started, Sam's Choice changed the bottle for their bottled water. How do I know that? I buy Sam's Choice while at school and didn't buy it all summer long... I think this new bottle is more economically friendly because it uses less plastic or something. I don't really know.
Anyway. This new bottle uses less plastic and therefore is thinner. When it's full, the bottle is firm. As the water disappears (and your body becomes more hydrated... yay water!) the bottle becomes less firm. It moves around very easily and doesn't keep it's solid structure. Once the water is gone, it's like you could pop it with your bare hands.
When we fill ourselves with Christ (or allow Him to fill us with Him, if you prefer), there's not much Satan can do to break us. But, little by little, if we allow him (Satan) to work at us and work at us and spend less time with Christ: we become more flimsy. If we try to exist, completely without Christ, like the empty bottle, it doesn't take much for the enemy to destory us.
Does that make sense?
Road maps and water bottles. I promise, the one from class is even more creative. :-)
<>< Katie
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11
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