We were
recently on the road again, this time to WV (State slogan – “Wild and Wonderful”). Little did I know upon our embarking that the first part of
our trip would be more wild than wonderful. It all began with a quick
stop-off for breakfast; upon leaving the restaurant, my coffee went from being
carefully contained within its Styrofoam container to being bumped and thus
freely flowing down my arm. Fortunately for me, I was wearing a light coat and
so I ripped off the now wet and stained garment, threw it in the back of the
vehicle and subsequently slammed the trunk closed. Words were then shared
(mostly loud and one-directional) and then we were off again.
Life was
“good” for the next 17 miles…until I realized we were quickly approaching the
first of three toll booths along our route. At $2 per toll, 6 booths
round-trip, that’s $12 total. While a bit aggressive on the fee, it’s alright
because I have my trusty EZ-Pass automatic toll transponder stuck to my
windshield. Oh wait, that’s right I don’t have that transponder after all. Months
back it fell off its adhesive strip, and so when I decided to take my more fuel
efficient vehicle on a previous trip to Michigan, I brought along the
transponder just in case I needed it and of course forgot to put it back in the
present vehicle. That’s okay, we have cash; NOT, who carries cash with them
anymore? What in the world are we going to do?
As we near
the toll booth I realize I do have $4 in my wallet, but that won’t be enough to
clear all the tolls. Perhaps they take credit cards; in case you’re wondering
for future reference that would be a NO! “We only take cash, sir, but don’t
worry, you can do a no-pay and we’ll send you a bill along with a $5 surcharge
per toll.” Are you kidding me? My $12 in tolls just went to $42? I decide to
just pay $2 here and then find an ATM at one of the travel stops along the way.
At this point you can only imagine how grace-filled my exit from the toll booth
was! And now for the icing on the cake…I had put my wallet on the dash to more
easily manipulate the opening and closing of it at the toll booth. Now, as I
went to return the rejected credit card to its rightful place within the left
tri-fold of the wallet, the entire contents of my wallet spilled out between my
seat and the center console. With a gentle (or not-so-gentle as you’ve probably
picked up on) toss, I heaved my lifeless wallet to the floorboard in front of
me.
At that
moment I began having a pity party and the only person invited was me. “Are you
kidding me Lord? Here we are trying to share Your story with Your church and
look at this morning. First my coffee; then the toll booths; now the wallet.
Don’t you care?” God remained silent for a long time; at least I couldn’t hear
him for a while. About 2 miles before I was supposed to pull off at the next
travel stop (to get cash out of the ATM for the remaining tolls) I sensed the
Holy Spirit beckoning me to look at the GPS and rethink our route. (HINT: this
is where God’s humor and provision come in) As I look at the GPS, telling me
I’m getting off the toll road in 5 miles, I quickly realize (because we travel
this way often) that the other two toll booths are beyond my exit. Sure enough,
as we got off Exit 48 we paid a measly $0.40 toll, which Christy had in her
purse.
“Wait a
minute Lord…are you telling me that even though I forgot the EZ-Pass and even
though I only had $4 in cash (and I don’t usually have any), you’ve made it be
enough?” I have to tell you, there was plenty of repentance and
forgiveness-asking going on in that car. First and foremost, to my Lord and
Savior and to my Great Provider. Secondly, to my wife who took the brunt of my
frustration. Lastly, to my boys who had been left a terrible example of how to
respond to adversity.
Grateful for you,
Barry