Many years ago when our four sons were young and we were on a road trip headed to Disneyland, my husband, Louis, decided to take an alternate route, Highway 120, instead of the smooth Highway 395 through the desert. The alternate route would take us to where we needed to go with less traffic, and would be a bit shorter in distance, but it had hills, bumps, and turns in the road for miles!
When he turned off to take this route, I was furious because I thought I might get carsick, and I was concerned for our safety. Louis just kept driving with a smile on his face! Our boys loved it! My husband loved it! They rolled down their windows and let the fresh air hit them in the face as we bounced along.
I realized I could stay mad, grumble, and complain, or make a decision to join in the fun. I looked at my husband, the boys in the back seat, and smiled. I prayed and whispered, “OK, Lord. I will let go of my way and trust you, along with my good driver husband, to keep us safe.”
I rolled down my window and began to join them in the shouts of “Wheeee!” and “Here comes another!” They were no longer worried that I would be angry the rest of the trip. After all, we were going to Disneyland and this was just a prelude to the rides!
We called that road the “Whoopty-Do” road.
I look back now and am thankful for Louis’ decision to take the alternate route. It livened up our drive for a few miles – and it made us all laugh and enjoy the ride with shouts of joy. The “Whoopty-Do” ride eventually ended and we joined the main highway once again. What a great memory for our whole family.
Change and transitions can be difficult. If you are on an unfamiliar path, one you definitely would not have chosen for yourself, whether it’s work-related or home life, if you feel like you are on the “whoopty-do road” – take heart, things will eventually smooth out. For now, enjoy the ride and make a decision to let go, let God, and adjust your attitude. Choose to be positive and productive. God may be doing a new thing. Go for it! It may be the ride of a lifetime.
Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.”
Peggy Locke is staff chaplain at Carson Tahoe Hospital and co-founding pastor of Carson City Foursquare Church.
