Some things you have to travel around the world to learn. Other things you just have to make a wrong turn to figure out. I wouldn’t brag about my sense of direction but I do tend to think in maps.
As Katie and I were walking in a new city in Costa Rica I decided to take a new way home… As many of you know, I married a very intelegent woman who didn’t particularly think this was a great idea but she was going to practice this trust thing and follow her “street savy” husband.
I headed confidently down the street with my love. We were hand-in-hand enjoying a pleasant conversation until Katie stopped recognizing her surroundings… Make note that her galivant husband always knows precisely where he is.
The silence grew louder and competed with the street sounds of the ghetto we were so confidently heading into. Katie slipped her hand out of mine and clearly stated her lack of confidence in the fact that I knew where we were.
“The city is a grid sweetheart. I know exactly where we are.” I reassured her. “Just because I haven’t gone this way doesn’t mean I don’t know where I’m going.” I said as my eyes frantically searched to see something besides the groups men on the street corners starring at us as if we had fallen off the tourist trolly.
My mind was still primarily concerned with the protection of my ego at this point until the most helpful English speaking Costa Rican rolled down his window, drove by and pleaded “Oh please, please be careful out here!”
Since I obviously had this under control, I wanted to pick up a rock to express my gratitude for his well timed word of advice but I had obviously fallen into check mate at this point… The only move I had left was to hale the next taxi and avoid eye contact with my wife for the next 30 minutes…
I could have sworn that I knew where we were going. I had no intentions on putting my wife or myself in danger. But sometimes we walk most confidently into the most dangerous places we shouldn’t be in at all.
I ask the Lord to give me one good dose of humiliation per day… And that seems to be a prayer He likes to answer on a regular bases. Not because I like feeling like an idiot but I find that speaks loudest when my pride is at its lowest.
I pray you find completion in the midst of failure.
I pray your wrong turns turn you around.
I pray that when you are finally ready to hale for help that a grin breaks through your remorse and you find God smiling back at you when he picks you up.
