A little big traffic story.

Einstein once said, " You're never in the wrong place. Sometimes you're in the right place looking at things in the wrong way."

True happiness is the gift of contentment beyond the physical. In spite of circumstance. 

Last week I landed in a tight spot of slow traffic. I managed to stop 1mm short of the vehicle in front of me after a traffic regulator stopped us abruptly, reason unknown. Unfortunately the vehicle behind me collided with my rear bumper. 

So one could argue I was in the wrong place but the right time as I had an appointment. Although no one wants to be in this position, stuff happen , and then you are. 

In this case we were in the busiest hub of pickup traffic for workers from surrounding areas. We were escorted to a rural police station closeby for all the paperwork which the friendly police officer offered to fill out on our behalf. 

So there we were, two people on our way to start our work day. Stopped. Held up. A little dazed. This is where I started to notice how the "wrong place" can become the right place. 

The place the collision happend was like a beehive, really busy. But we were calm, friendly and courteous amidst the throng. Maybe because we both knew no one was at fault. 

The police station was empty, apart from the people behind the desk. It was quiet and calm. Sort of like an out of body moment. And then we started talking about God.

By this time my son had arrived, flanking his Mom like a bodyguard. I felt the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit in that little police station. 

The man sitting across from me remarked how sorry he was about my car and how glad he was that I was all right. Upon my reply that I felt the same, He said, "But God", pointing upwards.

He told of God's provision in his life, of his 2 year old toddler he named his business after who survived a vaccine allergy with a tracheotomy. And how God also does miracles. I was touched beyond words. 

Here I was, worlds away from where I should've been, worlds apart from this faith filled young man across the table, but incredibly connected by God who is the author of right places.

I later learned the police officer wasn't required to do all the paperwork for us, or take the other driver home. 

All these people gave me hope for us all. Maybe the governance should start "on the ground" to learn how they should do their jobs. 

Fannie Flagg from Fried Green Eggs once said, " If there is such a thing as complete happiness, it is knowing that you are in the right place."

God has undoubtedly got this.

Faith

Both faith and fear require you believe in something you can't see. It's your choice.

The beauty lies in the fact that faith has a Teacher who does training. In order for any training to internalise with impact and change, submission to the program is required.

Real submission is yielding to the learning curve without reading the small print. This is the only way true learning can happen. 

So let's talk real. Faith vs fear. The following example might be an "unfair" one, as we all need it, but maybe this is the best example of faith vs fear.

Taking out an insurance policy (medical or otherwise) has always been a controversial thing. If you don't take it out, you aren't covered if something happens. Then, when something does happen, you are confronted with the fear of other things that can happen. So, you take out the  insurance.

And then, a couple of years down the line you haven't claimed for anything and you ask that question... what you could have done with all the funds had you not taken out the policy in the first place?

This is because we allow fear to dominate the scene. You fear a cataclysmic disaster, therefore you put your faith in a policy. Now I know insurance is essential, so how do we have faith inside of taking out that policy?

Easy! You go to the Teacher of faith and you do what He says. Once you understand what is expected, faith overrides fear. Then you don't take out a policy because you fear a disaster, you take out a policy because He teaches you to be prepared. So your decision becomes faith based.

Faith needs constant infusion of the God kind, so submission in the Word and following that mantra makes for a sound mind, 

no fear 

no dread

no confusion 

just Trust and Truth.

The above is essential in all situations. Disease, relationships, jobs plus matters of the spirit and heart. The absence of fear creates the perfect ground for sanctification. This is because God loves us with a perfect love. 

Take it in.

Change the perspective.

God's got this.

No man is an Island

Almost everything I do triggers amygdala responses linked to someone who was or is in my sphere. Standing in the rain this morning enjoying my cuppa, the sounds of the breaking day immediately triggers memories of my Dad. I can't think why specifically, but the look and feel was one of happiness and home. 

I smear a little butter on my toast and think of my Mom making us cinnamon toast in the middle of a thunderstorm. I drink black coffee and my sisters are here with me and I walk in the garden, and their voices echo in my head.

What I'm trying to get at, is the fact that whether or not you choose it your relationships and experiences, however mundane and small, all shape you in a way. Some leave deep grooves and forge habits for a lifetime, and some just linger to pop up when needed.

The age old quote of John Donne, " No man is an Island....." doesn't stop there. The full quote says, "No man is an Island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main."

We are part of the whole, which means it always takes a village..... Even if you don't see it. You can be trapped on an island alone, but sooner or later you need company. 

The movie Cast Away portrays the character of Chuck Noland who survives a plane crash and years alone on an island with the all important 'company' of a soccerball.

He spoke of the reality of being isolated, and choosing life only to lose the love of his life. He said, "I've got to keep breathing, because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide will bring." 

We have been designed to be a part of something greater. Just connect with one person and be in the moment, and the world becomes a better place. Some connections stay for a while, some clock up a lifetime of memories and some leave a glittered footprint , albeit short-lived.

But all of them come to fill your life with purpose, love and a glimpse of the divinity of God. Specifically to carry us into the next part of our journey, to use the stored up glitter for a new tide.

God makes the sun to rise and brings in the tide. 

He's got this.