Amazing God

Two hours beyond our previous location, my husband, Don, discovered that he couldn’t find his cellphone. Panic ensued as we searched frantically for it!

Travel weary, having driven 9 hours from Connecticut to Virginia, the thought of having to add another four hours to our trip to Georgia felt downright cruel!

But before I could release one complaint from my pursed lips, my anger suddenly waned when I heard my mom’s voice in my head: “Everything happens for a reason.”

Looking over at my husband and seeing how distraught he was, instead I asked, trying to hide my dread, “What’s the name of the motel we were at?

He couldn’t remember, nor could I, adding to these seniors’ frustration. After an extensive Google search we called the motel to discover that Don, in our haste, had left his cellphone on the bedside table.

The motel was just that, a basic motel. I protested when I awakened at 5:00 a.m. to neon lights in my face as Don pulled up to the tiny office building. Looking around, I sensed what would be inside those single-story attached rows of rooms. I’d watched enough movies to know that this wouldn’t be what I was accustomed to.

Despite my protests, my frugal husband insisted that he needed to sleep and so did I. Checkout would be at 10:00 a.m. so he hoped we’d get at least four hours of sleep and wasn’t willing to pay more than the $65 they charged for the “night.” Sleeping on top of the bed—in our clothes—I awakened at 9:50 a.m. with a start! “Babe! We have ten minutes to be out of here!”

After splashing water on our faces and “brushing” our teeth with our fingers, we bolted out the door! Sure enough, heading our way was the hotel manager who’d checked us in. “Seriously?” I thought, rolling my eyes!

Ergo, we quickly made our way to the SUV to be on our merry way. Two hours later, we were right back where we’d started, having finally called the right motel to discover that the manager had Don’s phone.

By that time, we were both hungry and curious as to why this “had” to happen—for what reason? Meanwhile, I suggested we get Mexico food since we hadn’t had any in all our weeks of traveling up and down the East Coast.

A little back story… the day before, before we’d left Connecticut, on a whim, we decided to visit Gillette’s Castle State Park. We executed some impromptu photo opps, utilizing props that were convenient. We thoroughly enjoyed inspiring God moments there, out in nature, on a splendid day. We both had a strong sense of God’s divine love, presence, and power with us. We laughed, we cried, we worshipped, and we prayed, as we explored the beauty of grounds.

Gobsmacked by the wonder of our intense moments, the castle, and the photos we took—reminiscent of my publisher’s book cover design—we knew we were in for more and more divine surprises as we traveled.

We descended the stairs of the expansive castle veranda, heading back down to the snack area. As we left, I stated—tongue-in-cheek—looking up at the sky, “Wow! All we need is to see a falcon and you can stick a fork in me! I’m done! Then you can send me home to Jesus!” This, as I remembered the falcon also depicted on my newly designed book cover.

Wait for it…

The next day, as we pulled into the Mexican restaurant (still wearing the same clothes)—just three miles from the motel we’d slept at—there, smack dab before our eyes was the biggest mural that we’d ever seen, depicting the same breed of falcon on my book cover!

My friends, God is real! If ever you doubt His existence or His purpose for your life, remember my humble story of His real-life recreation of my story—of my very life! Truly, there was a “reason” for our two-hour detour. God has a sense of humor and He is full of surprises!

Read Living Affirmed for the details of the meaning of this story, in Chapter 6, as well as for more of my jaw-dropping God encounters. You will be encouraged, awestruck, inspired, refired, and guided to destiny by our amazing God and his wondrous plans for your life.

M. J. Smith

“Amazing God” first appeared here at mjeanettesmith.com.

FOMO? Subscribe today to be among the first to get your copy of Living Affirmed: How to Walk Confidently in Your Divine Purpose—AND to be entered for a chance to win a FREE, autographed copy. Don’t delay!