RECALCULATING ROUTE

Image via Wikipedia
Life is so fragile and the recent tornadoes in the Southeast serve to remind us of how our plans can change in the blink of an eye. As I recalled one woman's comment to the media when surveying the damage to her property, "Less than 12 hours ago, I was sitting in a room where there isn't even a home now."How terribly devastating to have your life so dramatically changed in a heartbeat. Tuscaloosa went from a thriving college town to a pile of debris in many areas.


The tornadoes were the deadliest in our country in nearly 40 years. Entire cities were wiped off the map. I watched on TV while neighbors less than 40 miles away were experiencing unbelievable destruction. My family was spared the wrath many others so close by faced. Life is often much like that. We drive along a highway where a moment later someone will lose their life, or hold a healthy newborn a few moments after another family is dealing with a very sick baby. We take turns dealing with the blink of an eye moments for sure although it often seems like some individuals have had more than their share of life's storms.

How often do you hear that pesky voice from your GPS whenever you assume you know a better direction saying, "recalculating route? Wouldn't life be so much easier if we had a GPS that would just recalculate our direction when we are unable or unwilling to go the way planned?How many moments have you clearly been blessed and spared from experiencing? 

Life truly can and will change in the blink of an eye.In the midst of something that changes our lives we may easily fail to realize God is already recalculating our route, when we have no will, strength or even resources to carry on. But He assures us that He always goes before us, and not to be forsaken (Deuteronomy 31:8)

In the aftermath of the recent tornadoes, how heartbreaking it was watching the survivors pick up the pieces of their lives like small crumbs. It will be quite some time before those who have had their lives changed by this disaster can enjoy the simply things we do daily, whether it be just relaxing in our homes, planting our gardens or conducting our business on our computers.But how resilient a spirit God puts in those who believe as so many praised Him for surviving and vowed to begin again. It was evident those who had a relationship with God had a larger peace than could be imagined. In the midst of the destruction and loss they had a different perspective. The stories they share remind us of how fragile each moment of our life really is.In the blink of an eye.

Maybe you don't have natural tornadoes or tsunamis to deal with. Maybe you have emotional destruction or personal losses which have wiped out the life you once knew and you are looking at bits and pieces of what used to be and wondering what is next. 
Image by olemiswebs via Flickr

       Everyone has been through moments that seem like nothing will ever be the same; our plans and destinations, goals and dreams have collapsed. We may have deliberately caused our disasters or simply been the victim of unfortunate circumstances. Regardless, God recalculates our routes constantly to bring us back home, to get us to where He wants us to be and most of all to recognize things familiar when we are lost. I know He is already at work arranging a future for the families who have survived the disaster of the past week's storms.


And He is arranging a future for all of us who sometimes think we know a better way, don't need a guide or believe we are heading in the right direction only to discover we don't really know where we are going or what to do next.I am so grateful for the times my heavenly Father recalculated my route to get me to where I should have been even when I was certain I knew a better way. How about you?

Funds have been set up to help the survivors of the tornadoes through the RedCross, Salvation Army and Samaritans Purse, as well as at many other local church organizations. We will all get our "blink of an eye" experiences, why not offer a donation or better yet volunteer to help clean up in gratitude for your own escape this time?