"Double Portion Of Bizarre!" Part 2

Damage was minor, delay shorter than expected, and I was on my way home... Long gone was my "ahead of schedule" efficiency streak, but I didn't care. My only concern was to get home to my man. This was our final evening together and I was determined NOT to be distracted! I was able to keep my focus because I was prepared. Yes, preparation is good.

The next morning (rested and ready) I set out for the conference. Winding through the mountains of North Carolina, surrounded by nothing but HUGE rocks, I was suddenly very aware how small and vulnerable I was. And how glad I am that my very big God has His eyes on me. My heart turned to thanksgiving and praise.

I arrived at "SheSpeaks" with a full heart despite the severe thunderstorms which had followed me for the past 5 hours. With every session, and every encounter, God continued to repeat what He had already spoken to me on my drive ... "I am big. And My eyes are on you."

I left the conference with an action list a page and a half long, and was looking forward to processing all I had learned on my drive home. My plans (once again) took a 180 degree turn while traveling along I-85. I was in the center lane and there was a truck (not a semi, but a moving type truck) traveling in the fast lane. The truck decided he wanted the center lane which was already occupied by a unsuspecting mini-van! I was BEHIND the mini-van... I prepared for impact.

The truck took the middle lane, and in doing so... pushed the minivan (much like you would push aside a child's toy) into the far right lane of traffic. There was an explosion of glass that came back on my windshield. Both vehicles continued driving until it was safe to pull over, and no other cars were impacted by the collision.

I was speechless.

My mind went back to a conversation (okay disagreement) I had with my husband 2 weeks prior over which car I would drive to the conference. I thought it made perfect sense for me to take our convertible. It would use less gas and it would certainly add to my enjoyment. He insisted it was not safe - - He won. Needless to say, I whole-heartedly agree with his decision now! I don't even want to think about how that might have played out if I had been in the convertible when the glass came flying at me.

God continued to speak what He started on the trip up, "I am big and I have My eyes on you" and He added... "don't be irritated with your husband when I choose to protect you through him."

Not exactly the lesson I expected from this year's SheSpeaks but... I wouldn't trade it for the world! The "take away" I pray I will never forget is this - -

Do not be irritated with your husband when God chooses to use him to protect you. Respect your husband and remember... God is big, and He has His eyes on you.

Again my heart is filled with thanksgiving and praise, and a deeper respect for my man. :- )

"Double Portion Of Bizarre" ~ Part 1

This year marks the third consecutive year I have had the privilege of attending SheSpeaks, a women's conference for Speakers, Writers, and Ministry Leaders, so I am no stranger to the "weird" occurrences prior to (and during!) the conference. This year, I received a double portion of “bizarre”…

On the eve of the conference I was fully prepared (a first!), and had 2 FULL hours before my hubby would be home. So I decided to tackle some of the things on my “to do” list for the following week. It was incredible! I don't think I have ever had such an efficient day! Sitting just one traffic light from home, and still ahead of schedule, is where my plan took a 180 degree turn.

Bam! Crunch, crackle, thud … What just happened? Oh, no! Please, don't tell me ...

Are you kidding me?

How does a car ... already at a complete stop, hit the car in front of it? ? ? ?

Rather easily (it seems) WHEN the car behind it doesn't stop!

A young man, while attempting to change lanes missed two very important details ...
1) Traffic was stopped.
2) The lane he wished to occupy was ALREADY taken!
His mistake was a rude awakening to the car behind me, and (in turn) to me.

Because I was prayed up, and prepared for a Christian conference (smile), grace flowed somewhat easily through me as I said, “Accidents happen, no one was hurt.” I called in the report, and our little “parade” settled in to wait for a police officer to respond. It was rush hour, and our accident was without injury, so we were told the wait would (most likely) be LONG.

Funny thing about waits, they give you time to reflect ...

Poor planning on my part the year before had resulted in pulling an (almost) all-nighter the night before the conference. Needless to say, the 4 ½ hour drive the next morning was tough! I smiled as I thought, this year is better. Inconvenient, aggravating, not without incident, and not without cost, but STILL way better than last year! I would be home soon, and I was prepared...

What was still to come would leave me speechless! Check back on Monday for part 2 of "Double Portion Of Bizarre"