There is a road near home that we like to take because it takes us around the busy state highway traffic. Recently our town decided to close the entire road and put in a roundabout. One day, when I was driving home with my youngest son, I decided to drive the back-way even though I knew the detour would take me well out of the way. The highway was exceptionally busy that day, and so I planned a different way.
The day was rainy and gray, and we were both very quiet as we drove home. Then I heard the gentle voice of my youngest say, “This way is closed.” I smiled, and gently said, “No, it’s not.” I glanced at him, and he gave me a very confused look. In his mind, the back-way home is closed, but in my mind, I already had a plan for this, so the way we were on was wide open. Before he could protest, I gently said, “Trust your dad, I’ll get you home.”
I always love when the Almighty uses life experiences and little conversations with my children to teach me. The day of this conversation was a Sunday, and I was driving home from church with my son. The lesson at church that morning had been about Joseph - how he was sold into slavery by his brothers and how God was with him every step of the way, from slavery to Potiphar’s house, to prison, to being made ruler of Egypt.
The Bible tells us the Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything did. Sometimes I wonder, when Joseph was in prison, did he see success, or did he sometimes say, “Lord remember that dream you gave me, You know that one, when my brothers and father were bowing down to me. I don’t remember these prison bars in my dream. You seem to have led me down a bad path. This way is closed.” To which I am certain the Lord would have gently responded, “No it’s not. I am with you. Trust Me, I will get you home.”
That little conversation I had with my son came at the end of one of the most difficult weeks I can remember. It was one of those weeks, you know the kind, when there is bad news every day, everything is a struggle, and nothing comes easy. Everything, even the small stuff is a battle, and it feels like the way, every way is closed.
And as I quietly drove home, feeling like the paths of life had brought me down a way that is closed, I thought about Joseph. I realized that even though it was a very hard week, the Lord was with me, and every day He gave me small measures of success in everything I put my hand to. And as soon as I finished saying to my son, “I will get you home,” I heard His gentle whisper, “Trust Me, the way is not closed. I know the plans I have for you. I will get you home.”
If you find your life journey has brought you down a way that is closed, look up. Tell your heavenly Father about it. Cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you. Tell Him you trust Him, and listen for His gentle whisper, “I know the plans I have for you, plans for a hope and a future. Trust Me, the way is not closed. I will get you home.”