On Bullshead Road

Last weekend my wife and I drove over an hour to attend a country fair. The Saturday morning looked promising. The weather was cool and the skies clear and bright. Just as we were making a turn on a country road, our car suddenly died.

The afternoon was terrible. Our car was towed twice after an auto body shop said they couldn't do the repairs which they believed was the distributor. It took nearly four hours to return home by taxi, train and bus. Two days later we got a call from the 2nd auto shop who informed us it will need to go to another shop up the street. Today one week later we took a two hour bus trip and taxi to the third auto shop to pick up our car. And to pay a hefty bill.

Through the tedious and expensive process I couldn't shake the name of the road where our car had died. Bullshead Road. It was as if the Lord was directly speaking to a stubborn and bullheaded place in my heart. A place where the borders of my trust in Him often fail and I go into survival mode. A place where I grind my teeth and complain that God somehow left us on a country road to figure how we were to make it home.

The truth of the matter was throughout the whole journey God placed people in our path to re-assure and comfort us - though they did not know the hand of God was moving them to respond kindly and respectfully. I must confess that trusting God in the ordinary and the mundane isn't always easy but I'm learning to be thankful for what is known and unknown about the providence of God.

The Lord said about His people, "For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn cow. Can the LORD now shepherd them like a lamb in an open meadow?" (Hosea 4:16, Holman Christian Standard Bible).

All God wanted from me was willingness to release the burden and hold tightly to His hand to lead us home. But I couldn't let go of my smart phone as I anxiously searched the web and dialed frantically for help!

Beloved, we can dig our heels into the ground and remain on Bullshead Road or we can allow God to carry us (much like a tow truck) to a place where He repair our hearts. It requires a simple yes on our part. Yes, God lead me. Yes, God I will trust you - though I can't stand this circumstance. Yes, God I will remember you are for me and not against me.

I don't know about you...but I don't want to ever visit Bullshead Road, again. Spiritually or otherwise.