… And Back Again

We can make our plans,
    but the Lord determines our steps.
Proverbs 16:9 NLT

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We planned to see The Great American Solar Eclipse. We didn’t know we had also signed up for The Great American Traffic Jam. We barely got through Indianapolis when traffic came to a halt. Stop-creep-stop, thousands of people trying to get home. At first, our GPS said we would get home in 3 1/2 hours. An hour later it said 3 1/2 hours. We decided to stop and eat, hoping traffic would ease up.

The restaurant was slammed with diners. As we waited for our food, Jenna checked her phone: the GPS now said 4 hours.

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But I am trusting you, O Lord.
I said, “You alone are my God; my times are in your hands.
Psalm 31:14-15a Living Bible

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Back on the road, things were worse: bumper-to-bumper with more cars arriving with every on-ramp. And we needed gas. (There would have been enough but … traffic!) The first station we saw was overwhelmed with 50+ cars. Down the road we came to a small town. I checked Google Maps as Jenna filled the tank. Maybe there was a work around on country roads. We would see.

At first it seemed to be a good idea. But then we ran into … traffic. We decided to take our chances back on I 65.

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Show me the right path, O Lord;
    point out the road for me to follow.
Psalm 25:4 NLT

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By now it was full dark. Our cheerful GPS directed us through Indiana country for an hour before finally getting us back on I 65. (Apparently, it’s complicated.) Traffic was heavy, but at least it was moving. By then we were beyond exhausted. Jenna particularly, since she was driving. All I could do is sit there and pray. For Jenna, myself and all the other eclipse watchers who just want to get home.

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When my spirit grows faint within me,
    it is you who watch over my way.
Psalm 142:3a NIV

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Things improved when we entered Illinois. We finally got home at 11:30 PM, 8 1/2 hours after we left Indianapolis and almost 16 hours since we’d left that morning.

Yes, that happened. But we are still glad we went. And got home again.

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The Lord keeps you from all harm
    and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
    both now and forever.
Psalm 121:7-8 NLT