Nothing Wasted

As a young married couple, Jeff and I enjoyed taking long drives. This was especially true when our first child was born. We didn't have to have a destination. The important thing was conversation. We would return home when we were done talking. Add in a little adventure, and our entertainment was complete.

So it was no surprise when, on one of our little trips, we noticed the velvety black sky interrupted by an orange glow that, in our minds, was none other than something set ablaze. Something large by the pulsating brightness against the night sky. We made it our mission to find the source and make sure everyone was okay, see if we could help, or pray. It didn't matter how far we'd have to drive. It would all be worth it.

We turned down roads leading us to unfamiliar territory. Dirt roads lined by trees appeared to be taking us deeper into forested areas than anticipated. I began to smell smoke as the headlights deflected their beams off a thickening mist in front of us. I was sure we were heading into the heart of a forest fire, or at the very least the smoldering embers of wood just waiting for the right match to strike and set the entire region ablaze.

But we continued to drive. Those on the other side of our fears needed help. Right?

After what seemed like hours of intense blind navigation (there was no GPS in 1993), we exited the tree-lined dirt paths and could see the sky clearly to know we hadn't even come close to the source of our fire. So we continued driving, following the light ahead of us.

In the end, we found ourselves in Marysville, MI looking across the St Clair River at the Nova Chemical plant in Sarnia, Canada--Nova.

A week ago, Jeff and I were driving home from church when I saw that familiar glow in the sky. We laughed as we remembered our adventure so long ago. Then I began to think of how familiar this is on another level. 

How often do we think we see something ahead and take off ready to save the day, or maybe believe it's an answer to questions we've tossed around our heads, only to learn it was an illusion.

I know I have. In fact, looking back, I would confess that I have spent energy better spent elsewhere, chasing things that end up disappointing.  I can name many things I have attempted to accomplish, thinking it was the answer to all our struggles, only to find myself exhausted and irritated. There is the temptation to call that time "wasted" and "lost" because we can't get it back.  

What I am learning, however, is that uninformed decisions of the past have the potential to be informed platforms for education today. 

Last Friday, when Jeff and I saw the night sky light up orange, I did something I could not do 31 years ago. I opened Facebook and checked the Macomb County Scanner page, where several others had also seen this "fire" and asked about it. Those who were able to post pictures and an explanation. No one needed to drive across the countryside (unless they wanted to) and find out they'd only seen the controlled burn of a chemical plant across the river in Canada.

Another thing I am realizing is the truth that God doesn't see our youthful ignorance as unredeemable. In fact, He has promised, "The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you" (Joel 2: 24 - 25).

Yes, there may have been lean years when we didn't know if we'd make it. Years when the LORD disciplined us. Years that would strengthen our character and grow us into trustworthy stewards of God's blessing and presence.

🙏 Praying God's blessing over you as we enter the weekend. 🙏

Karlene J 💜