My story is a journey. A journey that proves “grace” happens, time and time again. A notable point in my journey took place a few years ago. At the time, I was the father of three young children (they grow up so very fast), blessed with a loving and caring spouse, and a very comfortable life. Having grown up in a Christian home, I have always known that all I had… I owed to Christ!
During this time, I held a very good job, but I worked long weeks and often traveled 75-80% of the time. Burdened with the stress of my job, missing my wife and coupled with my kids growing up without me I found myself quickly aging, feeling disconnected and slipping into a deep depression. This was nearly 7 years ago. At the end of one long week, I found myself in the Pacific Northwest region. An area I frequently traveled. I woke up at 3:00am to catch an early flight home. It was dark, and the moonlight shone brightly through the tall pine trees. I knew the route from the hotel to the airport very well. Although I was in a suburban rural area, the major highways intersected to give me a clear and easy route. However, due to the early hour, and my uneasiness caused from lack of sleep I plugged my GPS into the rental car and programmed the route to the airport.
I had awoken that morning with sharp pains in my chest. As I left the hotel it felt as if an elephant was sitting on me and I prayed I would make it home. I headed down the highway toward the airport. My thoughts of getting home were soon interrupted. My GPS prompted me to “take the next exit.” I was unfamiliar with the next exit, but at that early hour I trusted technology would get me there sooner rather than later.
It wasn’t long before I knew I was well off the beaten path. The tall pine trees that lined the rural road soon blocked out the moonlight. It was pitch dark, my heart was racing, and the pains grew in my chest. I thought several times of turning back, but in the dark I couldn’t seem to find a place to turn around. The only light was the headlights of my rental car. I knew the highway route and should never have detoured. I kept asking myself, “Why did I trust my GPS, why? I called out to God for help.
I had not passed a single car on this dark road. In the complete darkness I finally saw a dim light ahead in the distance. On the right-hand side of the road the light grew brighter as I got closer. Finally, I could tell it was a sign. It was a sign next to a driveway that led to a small country church. Shining brightly, it simply said “Grace Happens.”
“Grace Happens.” At that very moment the pressure and pains from my chest left. Soon after, the trees cleared, and I found myself traveling down the on ramp to the major highway only a few miles from the airport. I spent the long flight home replaying in my head what had just happened. How many times have you felt lost, on a dark path, or unable to turn around? It is so easy to let stress take control of our lives. If you find yourself as I did… disconnected and depressed, please call out to God. Our Heavenly Father is there to provide us hope, grace, and a way out.
That simple “sign” changed my life dramatically. The next week I was traveling again. I shared my experience with my co-workers. Some of them laughed it off, but perhaps it touched at least one of them. It wasn’t long after that experience that I walked away from the “good” job I held. At the time I knew it wasn’t right. I knew it wasn’t in God’s plan for me. My children needed a father, and my wife needed a husband. I took another job, but soon found it wasn’t right either. It wouldn’t be the first, and it wouldn’t be the last. I trusted God would continue to lead me on my journey.
God has proven to me that “Grace Happens.” God’s grace is a gift. All you must do is accept it. I am still on my journey through mountain tops and valleys, sun drenched roads and sometimes dark tree lined paths. But with each high and low it gets a little sweeter. I am reminded of John 16:33: “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
I pray that you too will find God’s grace on your journey!