Thursday, September 13, 2007

Snails in my path

Have you ever had snails in your path?

I was practicing driving my friend Michelle's scooter the other day. It was my first time behind the wheel! I was nervous, but I had a huge empty parking lot all to myself. There wasn't another vehicle or person in sight. It was just me and the "open road"! On my first spin around the parking lot I noticed something very large out of the corner of my eye.... a huge five inch long snail inside an enormous shell was slithering along beside me. I was very busy concentrating on keeping the scooter upright, but I did take note of the slow and slimy fellow. Michelle's scooter is a big one, and it was my maiden voyage on a motorbike of any kind, so I was a little shaky on the steering and turning portion of my first lesson. Going in a straight line was easy enough, but steering and turning the roaring machine wasn't my strong suit. As I made my second pass around the parking lot, I rememberd the large snail coming up. No problem, I thought, I'll just go around it. Easier said than done! As I approached I desperately tried to steer the bike away from the snail, but just like a missile aimed at it's target, that bike, with me on it, was on a collision course with the only other moving thing in the parking lot, the snail! Try as I may, I could not seem to veer left or right. After several seconds of fruitless efforts, and a few squeals and screams, I heard the sickening crunch beneath the scooter tires. Yes, I had managed to hit and kill the only living creature within 200 yards of me. It was a sad day for all, and did not leave me feeling very confident about my scooter driving abilities. I, however, faired much better than my poor slimy friend!

So, have you ever had snails in your path... those unexpected bumps in the road that you try to avoid, but in spite of your best efforts, put you on a collision course with tragedy, or frustration? Do you encounter those circumstances and people that shake your confidence and leave you with the unavoidable knowledge that you are not as in control as you thought you were?

Take heart! God knows about every snail that sits in your path. Snails never take him by surprise! And he has promised that ALL THINGS (including snails) work together for good for those that love him and are called according to his purpose! Snails will come and go, but the plans the Father has for his children will stand forever, and can't be altered by snails on the path!

9 comments:

charis tully said...

hi jen great to be able to read about your adventures in Taiwan

MB said...

hi jen,i love this blog.thanks for the uplifting story.

Kim Stickland said...

Hi Jen,

I loved the story, it will earn a place on my fridge door, where I put things to inspire me and make me smile. It brings to mind the egg incubator incident. Now that was funny in a sick kind of way!

Love ya, can't wait to read your next adventure!!

amybragg said...

Hi Jenni, I also loved your story but I must admit that I read it with tears in my eyes as I remember my enocounters with roaches, spiders, snakes, and other creepy-crawlies that I encountered in the Philippines. While being a world away from all that is known, it was a great comfort to remember that the same God that was in charge while in the United States is still in charge overseas!

Amy (Barnhart) Ephrem said...

So glad we're going to get to keep up on your adventures there in Taiwan...snails and all! :)

Anonymous said...

I love this story, and it really came at a time when I have a few "snails" in my path. Thanks for the encouragement. Even though your thousands of miles away, you're still my big sister with all the things I need to be lifted up.

The Blanchards said...

What a terrific reminder of that God is with us through the bumps and smooth places.

You're definitely missed around school, but I am so glad for you to have this experience!!

Julie Waclawski said...

Hello,dear friend ~
Loved the story! I had such a visual image of you on the scooter in that parking lot headed straight for the you-know-what!Love and miss you, but sooo glad you're happy! You deserve it!
Julie Waclawski

Sonny Huisman said...

Welcome to the wild world of blogging! It's such a great way to keep up on what's going on in people's lives!

Feel free to visit mine anytime!

www.church-lady.blogspot.com