Some people complain that I-80 is so boring, but I find it peaceful. I'm very familiar with the road as I've traveled eastward from Council Bluffs to Des Moines or Newton or Iowa City or points beyond many times in the past 30 years. I know the good places to stop for a cold drink or lunch or restrooms. The only thing that seems to change is the location of the highway construction.
The good part of familiarity with the road is that it gives my mind a chance to consider other things...... or nothing. I can put in music and sing along. I can have extended conversations with God. I often marvel at the plants and the changing of the seasons. If the weather is bad, I can concentrate on my driving and watching the other cars and the big trucks. I don't have to worry about where the next exit is because I've pretty much got those all figured out.
On Monday I made a trip to the Christian Conference Center at Newton. The weather on Monday was not ideal for travel -- I hate to drive in rain -- but the trip over was relatively uneventful and left plenty of time for things mentioned above -- singing, talking with God, watching the plants, figuring out the construction zones. I spent the night in relative quiet since the TV at the conference center is limited to only two stations. Those are fuzzy at best and the programs didn't interest me. So, I thought I'd get a snack I had stashed in the fridge, read a bit and call it good.
It was a good plan except that I fell and sprained my foot. I slept fitfully, a few hours at a time and would readjust the ice pack they keep in the freezer. (It's a camp, with lots of kids running around in the summer, tripping over stuff, running into things. They have to be prepared with first aid supplies.)
By morning, I was wondering if I'd be able to drive back home by myself. I wasn't sure I could load the scooter and then walk from the rear of the van to the driver's seat. I decided to call Rand to warn him he may have to come get me. Others came for the meetings we had planned. I managed to transfer from my scooter to chairs and back, although it was painful and slow-going. I decided to try to drive back home alone.
I made it home fine with the help of some willing strangers to open and close my car's back hatch. I just didn't trust my foot enough to hold me upright. My foot still hurt like the dickens...... but not so much after my stop at the Adair rest area. There, I hoped to impose upon the people in a vehicle that pulled in next to mine. And then I stopped to look. Here was a young woman (20's), driving alone, with arm crutches, a hat pulled over whisps of hair and only one leg. Suddenly I was glad for a foot that ached because at least I have two feet. God shows us our blessings in unexpected ways.
That young woman was God present for me that day. I doubt that she knew it. I wonder when and how I have shown God's presence to others.
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