God shows up in the most unlikely places at the most unexpected times.
It happened on a Wednesday night, this time, at a place where my car was stuck, teetering on the precipice of a snow-covered ditch.
I should explain.
On this particular Wednesday night, a few weeks ago, I left the church late. I was tired, and it had started snowing.
I had promised my wife I would stop by Wal-Mart on the way home to pick up “a few items.”
As I pulled into the parking lot, I realized I didn’t have a mask. Determined to prove myself the chivalrous husband, I drove the short distance to my house, got a mask, then hurried back to Wal-Mart, wary of the snow.
My “few items” evolved into a cartload. I took a picture of at least one item to make sure it was the right one. Then I made the predictable “husband’s call home” to make sure I had not left off anything from the list.
“What’s that noise?” Lori asked when she answered.
A baby was crying loud enough that I could hear the screams several aisles away. Everywhere I went, the bellowing babe and mom were sure to follow.
I called Lori again when I was in line to check out.
“What’s that noise?” Lori asked again.
The baby and mom were now much closer, two carts behind me.
I patiently endured and proceeded to check-out and get home before the road conditions worsened.
But not yet.
The security app for my credit card had just frozen my card, preventing someone’s fraudulent use. So, there I was unable to pay for the $90.37 worth of groceries at check-out.
Gritting my teeth, shielding my face from the snow, I once again got in my car and drove back home in the wintry mix.
Returning to Wal-Mart with another credit card, I retrieved my groceries and finally headed home to end this shopping episode.
By now, the snow had accumulated, fresh and untouched.
I slid past the first entrance on the road leading to my house. Undeterred, I turned, ever so cautiously, at the second entry road, about a half-mile from the first.
And that’s when I slid to the side of the ditch, with my wheels spinning in the snow.
Putting the car in gear, I worked it: reverse, forward, reverse, forward, reverse, forward; I tried to inch my way out.
My prayer was simple and direct.
“Lord, help me get me out of this mess.”
Reverse, forward, reverse, forward.
And boom, I bolted out and onto the slippery road.
I’m not the first to pray like that, not by any means. And I’ve been in other messes, too, not of the white, snowy variety.
Most of the time, we have to slip and slide around in the muck and the mire before God answers that prayer.
But on occasion, the answer comes at once, and suddenly we’re on the road again.
I’ve learned to be grateful whenever God answers and to remember, he is the one who got me out. If there’s one lesson I’ve gleaned from those experiences, it’s to stay away from the ditches in life, even if it means driving down a completely new and unfamiliar road or waiting it out until the road is clear. God does show up in the most surprising of places, but I know it’s best to find the road he’s on and join him there. The most dangerous road with God is safer than the safest road without him.
“I’m staying in tomorrow and not going anywhere,” I announced as I walked into the house, bags of groceries in hand.
Later, just before slipping into bed, I noticed I’d accidentally had my phone on video record when I had taken a picture of one of the items at the store.
Could it be another message from the Lord? With raised eyebrows, I played it.
“David, what’s that noise?” Lori asked from the other room.
“It’s just that crying baby who followed me all around Wal-Mart.”
If God shows up in the most unlikely places, he also has a sense of humor.