Not Just a Detour ...

We’ve all seen the above road signs above, right? Of course we have … it’s inevitable in America today with all the (seemingly never ending) road construction projects around! Be honest with yourself for a second – whether it’d be on a commute you make daily or during your travels during a vacation – have you ever moaned under your breath after seeing a detour sign and realized later on that your attitude or outlook on the day changed, most often negatively?

I admit it … I have. Detours are those unexpected inconveniences that cause you to reroute, be late to your arrival destination or take you away from your direct path of travel, which often affect your emotions in a negative manner. We tend to look at detours as bad things – but I have news for you … Detours really can be a good thing! Sure they may cause you frustrations when you arrive late to work, or when you get rerouted just before turning into your local Starbucks to pick up your morning coffee. (Yes, I can hear it now … some of you think that missing your morning coffee is like the end of the world.) But really, – what if the detour was put in place to prevent you from driving into a giant sinkhole? I don’t know about you, but I’d be very thankful for that detour. The consequences of not obeying would certainly be much more costly and detrimental. Ultimately, roadway detours are put in place for our protection and we need to obey.

BUT ...

Detours don’t just happen on the roadway. They happen in our lives too!

What would happen if God provided us with detour signs before significant events in our lives? Would you promptly turn around only to repeat the past, approach the sign with fear and hesitation, or would you proceed with caution, knowing that no matter what lies ahead, you can walk in confidence and trust in God’s perfect plan?

Last year my physical health repeatedly took me down one detour after another leaving me feeling so lost on a road that was much less than desirable and one that I certainly did not anticipate nor was prepared for. There were weeks that I struggled to breathe and found myself relying on oxygen tanks to fill my lungs with air. Some weeks I passed out more times than I can count. Still other weeks I was left feeling completely helpless as I watched my body’s ability to function deteriorate before my very eyes.

Yet, week after week I kept digging deep to find a tiny ray of hope that life would soon turn away from the detours and merge back onto the “normal” road traveled. I kept journeying forward thinking if I could just hang on a little longer, then just around the bend ahead I’d experience a change, some improvement, or better yet a completely miracle. As I ended the year 2016, it was certainly not one I ever wished to repeat, but it also struck me, that while the diagnoses’ have been received, and treatment has begun, this less traveled road may never end. What I thought as being one detour after another may not actually be a detour at all, but rather the path that God had planned for me all along.

I was caught off-guard and surprised, but God wasn’t.

I kept feeling like I was being taken further and further off-course feeling lost and alone, but God knew clearly the road ahead and never once left my side.

I often felt like I couldn’t take one more step forward, but God then picked me up and carried me ahead.

Acknowledging and accepting this new road that I’m walking has been my challenge of 2017 thus far. This new road is less traveled, bumpy and twisty by times, with each day bringing a level of uncertainty and variability. BUT, I can honestly say that I’m THANKFUL for this new road. While it may never bring the complete healing and restoration to my physical body that I once desired, it has allowed me to experience a closeness with Jesus that I don’t think I would have received any other way. I often find myself reflecting back over the most challenging months of last year, and have been continuously in awe of how God’s hand was at work and how He never once abandoned me.

God does not waste our suffering, nor does He waste our trials in life. Living with a chronic illness is difficult, but I can confidently say that I’m thankful for this new road God has me on. I have experienced many blessings along the way, and can say with confidence that I look forward to seeing how God is going to continue working in my life on this new road – both in the times He’s teaching me the hard lessons, but also in the unexpected blessings that come.  

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” 

-Lamentations 3:22-23