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Monday, January 26, 2009

The Pretty Red Jeep


A pretty red Jeep. It’s not brand new, but it’s exactly what she wanted. To her it’s freedom and maturity. To me, it’s letting go and moving on.

She checked online auto sites almost daily and was constantly on the lookout for just the right vehicle. She considered several different models. I almost talked her into a hot pink completely restored vintage Volkswagen Beetle but she balked when she learned that air conditioning wasn’t an option. She considered lost of makes and models, but she fell head over heels for the Jeep Cherokee and not the Grand, just the plain, basic Jeep. We checked it out and decided this is one vehicle that we could live with.

We looked all over, traveling hundreds of miles over the weeks as we tracked down an elusive used Jeep that met our requirements -- low miles, good maintenance records and within our price range. No luck. We just couldn’t find one that met our needs. Finally, we were ready to give up – and even our sweet – almost- 16 daughter was willing to settle for her second favorite when the pretty red Jeep showed up. We found it on a car lot that I pass every day and is only two miles from the high school. After traveling miles and miles, the very thing we were searching for was right in our backyard – or pretty close by.

That pretty red Jeep may say freedom to my darling almost 16 year old daughter, but not to me. As I talked to the Lord about this new place in my life, I asked Him for wisdom to walk this new path. A path that doesn’t require me to take and pick up children from school, something I’ve been since my oldest started Kindergarten in 1992. That’s 17 years of traveling for those who are counting.

As I considered this new beginning in my life, I realized that this is all a part of God’s plan for my life. He knows what happens next even if I don’t. He’s planned out the days that follow today and tomorrow.

You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your
book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed. (Ps
139:16 NLT)


What a blessing to know that I serve a God who is able to handle everything. Nothing throws Him. He continues to be the Great I AM even when I struggle to figure out what’s going on. He is the Rock on which I stand.

For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
He
only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly
shaken. (Ps 62:1-2 ESV)

God alone is my Rock, my Redeemer, my Fortress and my Salvation.
In a few weeks, when my baby girl drives off alone for the very first time in that pretty red Jeep, I know that God will be the Rock on which I stand. I know that He has a will for my life and for hers. I know that He is in control and I will trust in Him.

So, as I step out of the role of driver of children, I’ll look back at these years with great joy – well, most of it was joyful. There were those days when nothing seemed to go right and no one could get out of the door on time, least of all me. I’m looking forward to where the Lord is leading me. I’ll remember far away and close by; because God may just have the very thing my heart desires right down the road – just like that pretty red Jeep.

Where is the Lord leading you? Are you in a season of change for your life?
Maybe children are heading off to school next year or off to college. Are you’re considering a job move or another career related decision is on the horizon?
Where ever the Lord has you today, look to Him for wisdom and discernment for where you are heading tomorrow.

May God give you great joy and peace in the journey you are traveling.


In Him,





Come by and visit my blog, Joy Filled Living

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9 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Lord is my Rock - that is my anchor scripture for this year. Personally, my battle in within... your battle is letting go... yet God is the same, unchanging, our ever-present helper and Father. Amazing, isn't it? Thank you Mary for this reflection.

January 26, 2009 at 12:58 AM  
Blogger Denise said...

Be blessed.

January 26, 2009 at 4:16 AM  
Blogger Shannon Jacobyansky said...

It is difficult at times to let go and let God have control. We just need to remember that although things may change around us Jesus never does...He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! I'm so glad we have this promise!

January 26, 2009 at 7:31 AM  
Blogger Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

I think that living the Christian life is so exciting! You never know where you'll end up or be doing. It's a constant adventure.
Great post!
Hugs.
Kim

January 26, 2009 at 7:47 AM  
Blogger Sweet Magnolias Farm said...

Mary ...I am an older single gal ..sometimes when the devotions are up and are about motherhood and children it's hard to comprehend not having been one yet ...But I have to say you did a great job today with rolling this one into a change of your life. Although I may not understand what it is like to have a young girl of 16 driving off .I do understand changes in life ..and although our changes are different Many of the same feelings are involved ..I am most definitely in a season of change with no idea where God is leading right now ..and I am patiently awaiting his direction. Thanks for the Great Devotion this morning.
Sara

January 26, 2009 at 10:57 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh I love you mary. that is so wise (well, at least for me). my parents never did that to me. Even I may not going out of town by myself. I am almost 24 years old now and I have no idea about travelling alone. If someone put me in a strange place I've never been, I would have been crazy.

Sometimes moving on and letting go could teach us something.

January 26, 2009 at 8:08 PM  
Blogger Dianne Adams said...

I'm overwhelmed to read this morning's post. I could have written these very words. Thank you for the encouragement and the scripture. This is a bittersweet time...

January 27, 2009 at 6:46 AM  
Blogger Aunt Angie said...

Change is something I have to be "eased" into. I had to apologize to God about that recently. In my Christian walk I should be rip-raring to go into anything He calls us...but when a recent suggestion of a "move" could 'possibly' be in our future...I balked at the idea.
I mean..the nerve...I just got my house clean for goodness sake! I just got a new grandbaby for pete's sake!
INSTANT shame.
The words from the WORD came quickly to my heart---not fit---"But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God." Luke 9:62
It really put things into perspective for me...I saw what I was truly putting first in my life.
I pray for HIS direction and HIS will...but on that day...if He'd sent the "pretty red jeep" with traveling instructions...hmmm. I had to take a long hard look in the mirror...then get on my knees.

Well, I know your post was about the "surprise" for your sweet girl---and I enjoyed reading that---but I got another message too. THANK YOU!

A very good reminder from HIM!

January 27, 2009 at 10:54 AM  
Blogger LauraLee Shaw said...

Yes, I am truly in a season of change, and I don't want to fight it...want to go on the road with joy. Thank you for this message comin at the perfect time. God is good.

January 28, 2009 at 9:50 AM  

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