Don't make a wrong turn

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Tuesday!  Like I said yesterday, our granddaughter Harper is here for a visit, she lucked out and got a cushy babysitting job for the granddaughter of a friend here at work.  I am dropping her off on my way in, it’s a little off the beaten track so we are leaving a little early.  This morning, after a nice breakfast prepared for us by Papa, we headed out a little after 7.  We were jabbering away about who knows what when I saw the sign for our exit, ½ mile….I thought OK, there’s our exit coming up, too make sure I didn’t, out of habit, pass it by.  I never ceased to jabber….nope not for a second….until…..Harper said, “Nana, isn’t that where we needed to turn???””  OH MY GOSH!!!!  Of course it was….was being the optimum word!!!!  For one split second…..one fleeting moment I thought about trying to make the exit….In my heart I knew there was no way…..no way I would be able to safely make the turn at the speed I was going…..OH MY GOSH!!!!  Now we would have to go up to the next exit and cut back…..I didn’t want Harper to be late, making my friend and I both late to work…..All because I was so busy jabbering, not paying attention to the road….the way to my final destination.  I was busy berating myself to Harper, trying to come up with some legitimate excuse for my mess up when I felt the familiar tap on my shoulder…..”Hi Father, I really blew it this morning didn’t I?”  “Oh Kathie, My precious child….yes, you did mess up this morning, but you were able to turn around and get on the right track again….In this world, Kathie, it’s important that you are diligent in paying attention to the road…the road to ME.  My directions, will guide you to your final destination….life everlasting with ME!  Oh Kathie, I know that sometimes life is so very difficult, full of stress, financial burdens, worry, grief, pain…..but don’t make the wrong turn when things get rough….pay attention, don’t let life distract you from the road ahead…the road to ME!  I am there for you all along the way…..through every detour….just call on Me…follow the light of My word to guide you…..listen for Me in the wind and rain, see ME in the sunshine and moonlight….trust ME…..lean on ME…..follow ME….I will not disappoint you.  I love you!!!”  “Oh Father, gosh thank you for loving us so much, for leading us with the light of Your love through every highway and by- way.  Forgive us Father when we become distracted from YOU….turn us around, bring us back on track…..lead us to YOU.”

 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my pat.  Psalm 119:105.  The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of  my life—of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1.  Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.  Psalm 89:15.  He brought His people out like a flock; He led them like sheep through the desert.  He guided them safely, so they were unafraid.  Psalm 78:52-53.  God will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.  Isaiah 2:3.  “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.  These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them, “ says the Lord.  Isaiah 42:16.  The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  Deuteronomy 31:8.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5. 

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson

Receptionist

Administrative Services

Division of Housing

the Chickasaw Nation

March 13, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Wondrously wrapped in His loving arms Wednesday!  Well, today was my first official day of trying out an alternate route to work (yesterday didn’t count because I had to take my car to the shop).  Back and forth in my head I went over the pros and cons of my choices….I finally decided I would go the Tupelo route rather than 1560.  I planned ahead and left several minutes early because I was sure it would take me longer.  It did, but not much and by leaving as early as I did the traffic was light….just got to keep watch for the deer.  Yep, must say a successful plan indeed …..”Kathie, oh Kathie….. “

“Oh good morning Father, aren’t you proud of me for picking a successful alternate route to work?”  “Well, yes, of course I am proud of you….you are My precious child, but Kathie…..I must ask you to stop a minute…..be still….and listen, just for a minute.”  “OK sure Father, You are the Boss…..right….you know, You are my AWESOME God, maker and keeper of all……freely loving and forgiving…….Oh Father……I think I know what you need to say to me.  I am so sorry!  I just took off this morning such a smarty pants thinking I was in total control of this ‘alternate route’ situation…..Father…..forgive me forgive me for charging off on my own without talking with You first…..without taking You with me…..no ‘route’ can ever be successful without YOU!”  “My dear child, you are forgiven.”

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him.  Daniel 9:9.  “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord.  “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”  Isaiah 1:18.  Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.  Psalm 79:9.  “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”  Revelation 1:8. 

Love you all!

March 12, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Trusting and believing Tuesday!  Good grief, I have known for a long time that CR 1600 is going to be totally redone, but haven’t given the whole process too much thought until last week….well little over a week ago I guess, “Road Closed” signs were placed strategically along the road…hummm, keep in mind this is MY route to and from work and church, so that’s 6 days a week…..OK, so I went home and told Kim, “Road Closed” signs are up….guess they are getting close.  Still I didn’t lose any sleep over it, did talk with Kathyrn about alternate routes for us…..cross that bridge when the time comes, right??????   Came to work yesterday no sign of any construction going on, never gave it a thought as I toddled home……until….I got close to intersection at Owl Creek….OH NO!  Even from a distance I could see that the road to my house was indeed….CLOSED!  All kinds of men and equipment were still working and there was no way I could continue any farther on 1600.  Of course I had a meeting at 7 and needed to cook dinner and eat first, so this delay was most inconvenient.  My first thought, I will turn right and go through Stonewall…..oh yes…..way out of my way!  However as I got to the intersection it appeared I would not be able to turn right either….oh no, now what!  I turned left and called Kim…..how do I get home….Can you imagine after all these years of living out in Lula…..I did not know how to get home if I turned left at Owl Creek……After a brief conversation with Kim, I decided to turn around and see if I could get through to the right and go through Stonewall…..at least I knew my way and that would have to be quicker right!  Well, luckily, I could ease through, I took a deep breath and figured I just as well calm down and make the best of it.  I arrived home safely about 15 minutes later than usual cooked dinner, and headed to the meeting, but I couldn’t stop thinking, about my alternate route!  Things don’t always go just as we planned do they…..just as we think they should…..Just because I won’t be able to take 1600 for a while doesn’t mean that I am not going to be able to get to work….just because the alternate route will not be my first choice…..As we travel through life, we so often make our own “route” then one day we get a big sign from our Heavenly Father…..”Road Closed”…….My precious child, He says, I have another plan for you…..Trust Me……Let Me guide you.  My ways are wiser than yours….But Father……I start to whine and list my route choices…..you know family, kids, job, finances……But, My child, your ways (routes) and not My ways….Trust and Believe in My ways for you, precious child…..I want only what’s best for you.  Father, forgive us when we want to ignore Your “Road Closed” signs…..help us to open our hearts and minds to trust, believe, and follow YOU!

“I now the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.  I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.  When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.  Proverbs 4:11-12.  God will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.  Isaiah 2:3.  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.  Remember, O Lord, Your great mercy and love for they are of old.  Psalm 25:5-6. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.  Proverbs 16:20.

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson