Saved Without Regrets

A lot has happened in the two weeks that I have not penned my thoughts. I will focus on the first missed Monday – June 27th when I was on the road traveling to New York City to attend my goddaughter’s high school graduation. My husband and I left at 5:45 am to be sure I would be on time for the ceremony. I had not taken into consideration that the day would end with me “crashing” or dropping off to sleep soon after I returned to the hotel (11:37pm) once the festivities (graduation and celebratory dinner) were over. Hence, no blog.

I am choosing to share this particular day with the specific topic of “Traveling” Grace, Mercy & Peace because I am so glad that my husband and I understand that when we set out driving particularly a long drive away from home, we pray asking for traveling mercy and God’s guidance and protection to reach our destination as well as back home. There is much I could tell you about our quick trip from our departure (on Monday) until our return home late evening (10:30 pm) on Wednesday. Enough happened just on that Monday that supports the focus of this blog and I don’t want to bore a reader with too many unnecessary details. At least this is my intention.

So, leaving from NC very early of course was a good thing. We only made three stops and ate once during the travel. I only consumed 1/4 of a sandwich probably because I was excited about the trip. Since we were in a small vehicle I did all the driving (this car is uncomfortable to drive for my husband) which I really didn’t mind because I do like to drive. However, driving in the country and even in the larger cities of North Carolina is not like driving in New York City. It seemed as though the driving population has quadrupled since the last time I was in the “Big Apple” (April 2019). Having been born, raised as well as resided in Brooklyn, New York for most of my life, I understand that one must be a defensive and at times an aggressive driver. For me, this means your awareness and anticipation of others behind the wheel must be on HIGH ALERT at all times. One also must trust that God will be with you as well as protect you as you drive.

Case in point, I was cut off by a sanitation truck and shortly after a school bus. No warning, no signal – the drivers of each vehicle decided that they needed to get in the lane that I was in at the moment that they wanted, regardless of any consequences. This happened before we arrived at the hotel traveling in the Bronx ( a borough of NYC) to reach our destination. We knew it was the Lord that averted any accident or harm to us or anyone else in the vicinity of the reckless actions of those drivers. Our Heavenly Father had mercy on us as we followed the GPS in heavy traffic with a number of drivers who appeared only concerned about themselves and getting to their destinations without regard to road safety. By reaching the hotel in time to change and get to the graduation, I had been given even more than traveling mercy – Grace & Peace.

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

https://biblehub.com/2_john/1-3.htm

Oh wow, is there more to this story that recognizes that traveling mercy was needed as well as God’s grace and peace? Absolutely! Once again I followed the GPS to go to the graduation venue. Did I find the college, yes. Unfortunately, I needed the specific directions for the auditorium where the ceremony was to be held. No worries, my friend phoned me just as I pulled over to call her to explain that I needed more detailed directions. Her husband was able to guide me as well as confirm that I was going in the right direction by telling him what I was seeing along the way because neither of us knew just where I was, but then there is God. Not only did I get there from the point that I started without having to turn around or pull over again, they had managed to save a parking spot on the street right behind their vehicle a few feet away from the entrance of the building. If you know anything about parking in large cities and especially when an event is being held this was definitely “God’s Grace“! Close distance, Free Parking! Definitely, God’s Grace!

By now you might think that my story is over about Monday’s adventure. God’s goodness, kindness, grace, mercy and peace is never over if you are a believer. While the graduates were asked to be at the college by 5:30 pm for a ceremony that was scheduled to start at 7:00 pm. Graduates and guests stood outside in 90 plus-degree temperature alongside the college auditorium fence until I think about 6:15pm. I am not sure because we were all talking and just waiting patiently to be allowed in the building. It was probably about 6:30pm when we were asked to move up the stairs leading to the entrance of the auditorium with proof of COVID vaccination, still in a line to go in. Perhaps it was after about five or ten minutes waiting outside along side of the building I became aware that I was feeling faint and said out loud to my friend, “I am going to pass out.” The last words I heard before I fainted was move over to the ledge. Where we were standing there “happened” to be a window ledge. When I opened my eyes, my friend was on one side of me holding me up and her husband was on the other side of me doing the same and they kept saying, “We got you!” And they did! With the Lord’s grace and mercy I never touched the concrete ground. My friend knows that I am diabetic and asked did I want a piece of candy. Later she told me that she changed handbags and that the other bag that she was going to carry did not have candy in it. Is God not GOOD! All the time! If you remember I mentioned eating 1/4 of a sandwich much earlier in the day (11:30 am) and had nothing else as well as we were standing outside since about 6:00 pm. As soon as I began to eat the candy, I started to feel stronger and more conscious of my surrounding. A chair was brought and I was asked if I wanted EMS which I declined because I was feeling better and knew that my blood sugar level had dropped too low as well as all the other factors of the drive and standing in the heat. I did ask to use the restroom and we all were allowed in the building. My two wonderful friends held me on each side until I reached the ladies room. Of course, my friend came in to be on hand in case I needed further assistance. Again, God’s GRACE!

I must say that the police and security were helpful and attentive. We all were able to attend graduation without further incident. You would think my story of Monday is over now. For this journey, I have one last testimony of how Great is Our God. On our way to the restaurant, my friend road with me while their daughters were in the car with her husband. This way I could follow him and have company and contact since he selected the restaurant. We were on a street where there was a four-way stop intersection. If you know how to be polite as well as the rules for entering an intersection there is no problem. This was definitely not the case. There was another vehicle waiting for a lady to cross so the driver had stopped. I preceded into the intersection and my friend yelled, “Brenda, the car is coming!” Sure enough it was coming straight at us on the passenger side, her side. I was able with the Lord’s assistance to maneuver my car around the vehicle to avoid being “T-boned” or hit at all. Shortly, thereafter, her husband found parking for both of us once again and we had a quiet, wonderful celebration for my goddaughter’s achievement and I returned to the hotel without any further incident! Glory Be to God, for all He has done and will do in my as well as your life if you believe and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior! Please mediate on the following scripture to bless you with His word and affirm His love for you no matter what your situation is now or in the future.

Scripture: Job 5:8-9

8“But as for me, I would seek God,

And to God I would commit my cause—

9Who does great things, and unsearchable,

Marvelous things without number.

https://biblehub.com/nkjv/job/5.htm

Grace & Peace