Lesson From A Friend: Have It Your Way

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  

Proverbs 3:5-6

 

 

When Joann and her husband returned from San Antonio, Texas, I was eager to hear about their trip. She began by saying they'd had quite an experience.

“We parked in a garage downtown and walked toward the Alamo. I told Don I felt a little uneasy about getting back, but he said he knew exactly where we were. 

"I wasn’t convinced," she continued, " so farther down the street, I asked again if he knew how to get back to the car. He just rolled his eyes and didn't answer so I shut my mouth and thought, Okay, have it your way.
 

“We went  to the Alamo, the Mexican Market, the River Walk. By the time we finished sightseeing, I could hardly wait to get to our car. But, when we got to the street where Don thought we’d parked, the garage wasn’t there!
 

“For two hours we wandered up one street and down another. Finally, we found a traffic policeman who recognized our description of the garage and took us to it. It's funny  now, but when it happened, we weren’t laughing.”
 

Joann's story reminded me that insisting on having it our way can have negative consequences. Most of us remember a time when we thought we knew the way, but  we didn't. I don't mean getting from point A to point B. I'm talking about knowing what is wisest and best.

I painfully recall that happening to me. I was about to act on an important decision when the Spirit cautioned, Are you sure about this? Is the right thing to do? I ignored Him. As I plunged ahead, He seemed to say, All right. Have it your way.

No surprise, I discovered having it my way didn't live up to my expectations. I had made a poor choice. I should have listened to Him. 

Father, help us to follow Your instructions.

Carol