God will put his angels in charge of you to protect you wherever you go. –Psalm 91:11 GNT

 As I write this, I’m in the midst of packing for a short camping trip. I plan to do nothing for three days but rest, read, relax, crochet, and eat. Which is why I made potato salad, chicken soup, chicken salad, and a dinner casserole beforehand—so any cooking and cleaning up while on the trip is minimal. Very minimal. Like almost nonexistent.

If the weather cooperates, I might consider a short, non-challenging (meaning a flat, easy trail of no more than a mile, round trip) hike if DH talks me into it. But don’t tell him.

We both need a break from the in-depth projects we’ve been working on, from juggling too many things at the same time. He’s loaded his fishing gear, and I my books, magazines, Kindles, and current crochet project.

Even though I envision sitting with my feet propped up all day, I’m realistic enough to know that “life is what happens while you’re making other plans.” (Thank you, John Lennon, for that marvelous quote!) The countless trips we’ve taken over the years—and the many misadventures that went with them—have taught me to go with the flow. There are times you swim against the current and times you go with it, making the best of things and enjoying the unexpected experience.

Perhaps the misadventure has a purpose: to teach a lesson, reveal a new perspective, deepen compassion, expand understanding, or (ugh!) grow patience.

Take our month-long trip to the Pacific Northwest last year.

All did not go according to plan—and, believe me, we planned ad nauseum.

We had wonderful adventures along with some interesting misadventures. Like when we had to cut the day’s travel time short because Dean got dehydrated and couldn’t drive another mile. Thankfully one of our travelling companions was a former EMT.

Or when my lower back went out, and I literally shuffled (and suffered) for two days—one of which was spent touring a museum. Thankfully, our other travelling companion had brought along his back therapy paraphernalia and loaned it to me. My pain lessened, and I was able to move around better a lot sooner than I usually do when my back gives me issues.

Then there was the blown camper tire on I-80 just past Chicago that required four new tires before we could continue our journey home. The state trooper who stopped to help us directed us to a Walmart only a few miles away, where we stayed the night before getting the new treads—and where a former Marine stopped and chatted with DH, also a veteran of the USMC.

I always wear my angel necklace when we travel. And we always pray when we set out on a trip for God to protect us. I envision God’s angels surrounding us, being that shield around us. Yes, God’s angels were right there in each so-called misadventure—the former EMT, the friend with the back stuff, the state policeman, the USMC vet.

Perhaps the most important lesson I’ve learned through these so-called misadventures is who’s really doing the driving on this trip called life. And when He’s got the wheel, as my friend DiAnn Mills likes to say, expect an adventure!

Thank You, Lord, for the wonderful trip of life, for the adventures and misadventures, and for Your abiding presence, abundant provision, and able protection through them all. Amen.

Read and meditate on Psalm 91.

© 2018 Michele Huey. All rights reserved.