What A Trip!

“I’m hungry! I’m thirsty! Mom, he made a face at me!"

How many of us have gone through the frustration of beginning a family vacation only to get the car packed, the house secured, and the family finally all buckled in the car for the long drive ahead, and then we hear those words for the first of a thousand times, “How long till we get there?” We could all write hilarious sit-coms of memories of our family trips! If we were honest, most of the memorable moments were the unexpected, spontaneous adventures along the way. Isn’t that really how it is in our adult journey through life as well?

One of my favorite daily devotional books, My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, has a constant theme that life is a journey and our growth is a process. He emphasizes that God is not looking for a “perfect finished product” to use as a showcase display but measures our progress by our heart’s devotion to Him. Most of us are struggling and striving and trying to achieve, always complaining that we are hungry or thirsty, or someone else is keeping us from achieving. Just like the Israelites wandering in the desert to the Promised Land, we are always asking, “When are we going to get there”? As with a child in the car, we can whine and question and complain, or we can enjoy the beauty of the scenery and the friends along the way! We can only enjoy the journey by loving and trusting in our Divine purpose, while we live in minute by minute childlike expectation.

When we had the blessing of taking my parents to Greece for their 55th anniversary, we also took a cruise to a few islands, and then on to Turkey. As we toured the ruins of Ephesus, we were reminded of how Paul wrote to the new church there as well as others of his day, such as Rome, Corinth and Galatia. He was so frustrated with their lack of growth and their constant complaining. He knew that they were still seeking the pleasures of this world as one can see evidence even today.

Embedded in the old walkways are the 2,000-year-old chiseled footprints from the harbors that the sailors could easily follow to the nearest brothels and houses of ill repute. But Paul never became discouraged when he saw the vilest of men for he also knew they were capable of change. He knew they could become overcomers as he had become. He even told them he had been the “chiefest of sinners,”- that he had been at one time--a murderer! But he was forgiven, changed and living the rest of his life to serve others.

That moment on that particular part of my journey was also a high point of joy in my own life. Just to see my own parents so blessed and filled with peace and love, after all I had put them through in years past as a rebellious teenager, made me appreciate the power of forgiveness. God has not only restored all those years, but has given us the closest, most loving family relationship we could have ever dreamed! I don’t believe it was in spite of all we went through but because of all we went through!

If you look back over what seems to be those worst times of your life, they are the very things that have probably been used to “grow you.” I believe you will be used in that very area to help others going through similar circumstances! If you are in the middle of some of the worst circumstances in your life right now, this is the secret of truly enjoying the journey--to have faith and believe that even in the midst of these trials, you are on a very special part of your life’s journey that will either make you bitter or better.

When the walls are all crumbling around you, when you can’t even see the tunnel--much less any light at the end--start the process of faith. Be encouraged by those who have paved the way. Be encouraged that if one failure can be turned around, so can you! Remember your dream and goal and re-kindle that passion. Then do as Paul also admonished, “Keep your eyes on the prize.” Don’t grieve over lost time or territory, just keep going forward however slow and bumpy the process. Don’t see change and unexpected events as an enemy but welcome them as new opportunities. Instead of asking why this happened, seek what you are to learn and what you are to do in the midst of it. Just wait and see how you will be used, along with the difficult circumstances for some greater good! Since I had been a high school dropout, God knew in His infinite wisdom I would be teaching for the next 35 years.

I know it doesn’t make sense, but I learned to be glad when I saw parts of my former life crumble. I hated the journey I was on as it was so self-destructive, but I didn’t know life could change so beautifully. As I felt God remove the things I once held so tightly, the older I got, the less I asked, “How long ‘till we get there?” I now have learned to appreciate all my family, friends and even strangers I meet along the way. I also am assured of my “final destination” which I believe will be the most glorious of all; but I have learned to love every aspect of the journey.

In the meantime, I will simply enjoy the ride ‘till I get to where I’m going!

Debra Peppers, a professional speaker for 25 years, was one of only five inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame upon her retirement from Lindbergh High School. A member of the National Speakers Association, she has traveled to all 50 states and 60 countries teaching others that if she can go from being a 250-pound high school dropout, to Teacher of the Year there is hope for every child and adult. For info, visit www.pepperseed.org