A couple of weekends ago Pat and I were invited to attend the Packer/Baltimore football game with his sister and her husband. We have the route somewhat memorized because throughout our 30 years of marriage, we have traveled to visit family in Maryland many, many times. We do, however, always use our GPS just to keep us on track and make sure we don’t miss a turn. So, on a Friday afternoon in early October, we loaded the car, set the GPS and we were off. We were excited for our 7-7:30pm arrival time and dinner that would be waiting for us, prepared by our wonderful host. With family and friends that live all across the United States, we have become seasoned travelers. We assumed that when we left for this trip it would be as uneventful as every other trip we have taken. As it turned out, this one would be very exasperating for us.

When we hit Scranton, PA, our fairly new GPS made an unfamiliar sound and we noticed that a header had appeared on our screen. It read, “Alternate route ahead. Will save 30 minutes travel time.” Pat and I looked at each other in wonder and became excited when we realized we must have a new feature on this GPS, one not found on our previous one, and it must know something that we didn’t. In the few minutes we had to make a decision, we discussed back and forth, should we follow it, or go the route that we know is right? Stay on our tried and true path, or follow the path unknown? Maybe there is an accident ahead, or possibly a traffic jam. Obviously, the GPS knew something we didn’t and so we finally decided that we would follow the GPS’ recommendation and go off our original course. After all, the GPS must know best, right? We were certainly hoping so.

Imagine our surprise when we began to notice that rather than subtracting time from our ETA, time was being added! Then, as we traveled on, we noticed not once, not twice, but many times our ETA would be extended. We were teased relentlessly with many “alternate routes” or options that would “save us time.” We drove through many towns and on many highways to get to our destination. What once had been a 7pm ETA became an 8:45pm arrival, and rather than pull in calm and excited for the weekend, we pulled in completely frustrated, annoyed, weary and hungry.

As I lay in bed that night, I began to reflect on our drive and it occurred to me how similar our GPS offering us the “alternate route” was to Satan. He likes to interrupt our travel down the path the Lord has us on by flashing before us the quicker, easier, least inconvenient way. Rather than follow God’s path, he will show us how we can get what we want without the hardship of denying ourselves. He dangles the temptation before us that seems so appealing it is just too good to refuse. We look at the alternate route he is offering and wonder what harm there could be in taking the shortcut he has offered, especially if it leads to the desired destination. He makes us believe the route he is proposing we take will be less complicated and much easier. That’s exactly what we believed when we followed that silly GPS. You know what? It cost us in more ways than one.

Following the detour cost us time, almost two extra hours of time. It cost us money. For years we have traveled a route and never paid one toll. This time, we spent extra hours on many different toll roads. It also cost us physically. We were worn out by the time we arrived at Bob and Sandy’s. (Thankfully, we didn’t get into a fight along the way or it might have cost us our pride because we would have had to apologize!) Don’t you see? Taking the route we weren’t sure of, caused us to leave the path known to us and it cost us. And allowing ourselves to be lead astray by Satan, onto a path that is out of God’s will for us, will cost us too.

• He is leading spouses out of the door of their homes, into the arms of another lover. 
  
• He is leading parents to work jobs that help them provide their children with every gadget and gizmo created, while stealing family time away from them. 
• He is leading a parade of sexual sin right now that takes us far off God’s intended desire for intimacy between a husband and wife.   
• He is corrupting men and women everywhere, enticing them with money and power.
• He is tempting us with alcohol, drugs and pornography addictions.
• He is pulling us onto a path of dissatisfaction, always needing more, bigger and better.
• He is leading people to follow dreams that put them at the mercy of Human Traffickers.  

And all the while, he simply stands by and laughs because he has done what he loves to do. Jesus said; “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10). Whose route are you following? Which one can you trust to take you to your final destination? 

In Genesis 4 God asked Cain why he was angry and then He warned him with this statement. “You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master” (Genesis 4:7). Be careful of the alternate routes.

When I find myself needing to sort through my emotions, if I take some time and sit at the computer, I usually am able to work through the struggle by writing it out.  The Lord often uses this time to help me see His beautiful perspective in my not so pretty moments. That’s what I am praying for as I sit and type.  I have ranted to Pat and I had a much-needed venting session with a friend, so now, in writing this, I am counting on total freedom from my frustration. I don’t even know if that is what I am. Am I frustrated? Am I angry? Hurt? Just really mad? What is it? I am not sure I know completely, but I want to believe that when my fingers get done hitting these keys, I will be able to say, “I am free from this emotion that has risen in me.” Maybe by sharing this, you will help me understand, too.

Several years ago we were blessed when friends gave us a piano. She was a beautiful piano from the early 1900’s. She needed some exterior work and a little fine-tuning, but, despite her flaws, she held character and beauty. I want to say we must have had her for close to 20 years. When the Piano Man came to tune her and work on her, he always commented on what a great piece she was. Solid Cherry wood, ivory keys and she weighed a ton. When she was given to us, she had been painted antique green, which was, I admit, not very attractive. My intention had always been to strip her down and restore her natural beauty.  But, as often is the case, time got away from me and I never completed the project.  Finally, Pat began to make comments about finding a new home for her. While I hated to see her go, I saw that it made perfect sense because no one used her. Why not find a good home for her to be enjoyed and allow someone to make beautiful music on her again?  Hesitantly, I allowed myself to let her go to someone I believed wanted her and was going to restore her. A truck and trailer arrived with seven very strong men and the ‘ol girl was pushed, shoved and dragged out of the house. 

However yesterday, I was shocked to discover that the piano had been destroyed when they decided they didn’t want her after all. Destroyed. As in taken apart and used for scrap. Oh my heart. I grieved all day for her. The piano that played so beautifully for my gifted friend, Ami, was in pieces and parts, her top to become a table.  Our friend, Kelly, played and used her for an assignment in college for a music class. The piano Sarah took her lessons on when she was in elementary school. My little daycare friends sat and played her to make “beautiful” music. Even our exchange student, Judy, enjoyed making music on her. And now she is no more. I am so disappointed. I guess that is what I am, disappointed.  I am disappointed that I gave our piano to someone I thought was going to use it to make memories on. I thought the family would make music on her and enjoy the beauty of the sound throughout their home. I believed it would bring joy for many years to them. Instead, it was disregarded and destroyed.  As I stewed and cried over this news, the Lord began to put it all into perspective for me. Well, the Lord, good friends and a four-year-old boy.

Here is how it has all been summed it all up for me through their counsel. 

~ I gave the piano to someone I thought was going to cherish it. I thought she was going to place the same value on it that I did. Now I realize however, that is not the case. What one person may cherish, another one won’t. I wonder if, when God gave us Jesus, He thought we would place the same value on His Son that He did. Is He shocked when Jesus stands at the door knocking and we refuse to open the door? Is He dismayed when we refuse to cherish His most precious gift?

~ It was given as a gift. I gave the piano to her and she was free to do whatever she wanted with the gift. Keep it, sell it, or even destroy it. While I never expected the latter, it was not my decision to make because it was no longer mine. Once you give someone a gift, they are free to choose what they will do with it. Jesus was a Gift and we are free to do whatever we choose with the gift that was given. Accept Him or reject Him. Satan tried to destroy Him.  I can only imagine the pain it must cause God’s heart when He sees His Son rejected. He must have been so thrilled when He came up with the perfect plan for our salvation. Imagine it, we no longer would need to slay the animal and offer the sacrifice; He provided the perfect One on our behalf.

~ I think I was hurt, disappointed and honestly, a little offended, that they would disregard how I might feel when they took the piano apart. After all, I believe I had made it pretty clear that it was a struggle to let the piano go. What do you suppose hurts God? What do you think offends Him? Is He hurt when we dishonor Him with our words and actions? Is He offended when we disregard how He might feel when we make excuses for our sin? Look at what Psalm 7:11 tells us about God, “God is a righteous Judge, a God who is angry at evil every single day” (CEB). Notice, He is angry at evil every day; not at you, not at me, but at evil. Oh Lord, help me to never allow my sin to become more valuable to me than the Gift of Your Son. We must remember that God loved us so much that He gave His one and only Son so we could have eternal life (John 3:16).  A free Gift, Given for us to have life. 

Ian, my four-year-old friend,  put it all in proper perspective for me when he shrugged and said, “Kolleen, it’s only a piano” after hearing me tell his dad my story. Yes. It is only a piano and what is done is done. I can’t go back to yesterday and change the outcome, the only thing I can do is listen to the melody of the memories that play in my mind. But, please help me remember He wasn’t “just a man” and He wasn’t “just somebody’s son”… He was God’s Son. He was our Beautiful Gift, sent to us from our loving Heavenly Father, given to us to freely accept or reject. 

Now, I realize that I am a very sentimental gal and might hold on to things far longer than I should, but, maybe it is because I don't ever look at anything as junk. I like to believe that one man's junk is another man's treasure and there is hope for everything... and everyone. I happen to believe that is God's take on us too. What we view as junk in our life, or in the life of another, God is willing to take and repair, restore and reuse, if we allow Him. While my piano may be broken and reduced to scraps, I know God has put me back together. Once broken and almost destroyed, He helped me find healing and hope in Him. He also knows a thing or two of being broken and destroyed. 

“But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. 
He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. 
Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly,
 yet He never said a word. 
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, He did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned,
 He was led away. No one cared that He died without descendants, that His life was cut short in midstream. But He was struck down
 for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone.
 But He was buried like a criminal; He was put in a rich man’s grave” (Isaiah 53: 5-9 NLT). 

He didn't stay in the grave and we don't need to either. I knew God would help me put this all in perspective. I  love the memories of yesterday and while there are certain things I must learn to let go of, there is One I must always hold tightly to. His name is Jesus. He was the perfect Gift that came at just the right time.  
  

Yesterday I returned home exhausted and completely filled to the full, spiritually, after spending the weekend at the High Braes Retreat Center in Redfield, NY. I was the guest speaker for a wonderful group of ladies from the Mallory Wesleyan Church. What a blessed bunch they are. They have so much love and respect for each other, it just overflowed to my friend, Jackie and I. 
The theme of the weekend was F.R.O.G. which stands for, Fully Rely On God. And let me tell you, there were FROG's everywhere! I have never seen so many different items in frog form. They had F.R.O.G. jam and FROG Fly swatters, FROG stickers, FROG figurines and FROG name-tags. It made me laugh every time a new FROG was introduced. But, because I was with them, I didn't have the time to blog so I have decided to post some highlights from my F.R.O.G. message. 

Psalm 86:11 says; "Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness;
 give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name" (NIV).  The Dictionary definition of rely is: to depend confidently; to put trust in (usually followed by on or upon.) Have you put your trust ON, or UPON the Lord? Do you depend confidently in Him? Fully? You may say that you do, but I bet if you were to stop and think about situations you may be walking through, you might have to reconsider when you see the definition of fully is; entirely or wholly. That's what happened to me when I began to prepare for the weekend with the ladies. Once I had  F.R.O.G. on my mind, I was asked this question every time I was faced with a challenge, "Are you going to fully rely on God in this situation?" Just like Kari Jobe sings in her song, Steady My Heart, "even when it hurts, even when it's hard, even when it all just falls apart," will you F.R.O.G? Do we really know what that looks like? I found a few examples from the Bible that I believe show us.

• Abraham had to FROG when God asked him to leave his homeland and travel to an unknown land that He would show him (Genesis 12:1). Now I ask you, if God invited you to leave the place you have called home and move out into unfamiliar land, would you go? Maybe God would ask you to move to a new job, in a different place, and start a new career. Would you pack up your family and go?
  
• Noah built a very large boat, when the skies were sunny and the people were mocking because the Lord had warned him about things that had never happened before (Genesis 6). If the Lord asked you to warn the people and prepare them for unknown events, such as had never been seen before, would you? Would you be able to follow the instructions of God, no matter what the conditions?
  
• Abraham took Isaac to the altar as a sacrifice, believing God would provide another one (Genesis 22). If God asked you to lay a relationship on the altar as a sacrifice, could you? Maybe it is a friend, or a dating relationship that does not glorify the Lord and He wants you to let go. Would you, if He asked?
  
• The Israelites had to FROG while they wandered in the wilderness for those 40 years, lacking nothings (Deuteronomy 2). In dry times, in hard times, when God seems distant, or silent, do you give up on God, or press in deeper? In times of testing do you grow angry and rebel, or trust and obey?
  
• Moses had to FROG when he had to confront Pharaoh and seek freedom for his people. Not just once, but he had to go back 10 times (Exodus 12)! Would you be able to stand your ground or would you be like me and question if I heard God correctly? I have given in too many times to fear and intimidation when I was challenged in a belief I had. Do you?
  
• The early Christians had to trust that Saul, who had been killing those of faith, had really been converted to Paul, believer in Jesus (Acts 9). Could you forgive and learn to trust  someone again who has wounded you deeply but repented and says they have changed?
  
• Stephen had to FROG as he was being stoned to death for his faith (Acts 7). Can you FROG when persecuted for your faith? Christians are threatened in other countries every day by extremists. How will we respond when threatened for our faith here?
• Paul had to FROG when he was chained to a jail cell wall (Philippians 1). Can you FROG when you feel chained to a situation or sin, that you struggle to find freedom from? Can you trust God to help you break free in His time, rather than yours? Can you believe that you have been set free because of Jesus death?
• Jesus – Think of all the ways He had to FROG as He walked the earth and as He walked to the cross (Matthew 26-27). If God asked us to remain silent while we are lied about or wrongly accused, could we? Can we pick up our cross and carry it?
  

In all of the above stories, we can see how God took care of each person, even in the most excruciating circumstances. They each were willing to rely on His faithfulness, even when they may not have understood why they were going through the test they were. Are we always supposed to understand why? Proverbs 3:5 is a great reminder that we aren't supposed to lean on our own understanding, but rather, trust the Lord with all our heart. Look at the definition of faithfulness:  "true to ones word, promises, vows, reliable, trusted, or believed." They all came to the conclusion that God was true to His Word, promises and vows. He was reliable, He could be trusted. They all knew they could believe what He said was truth. I can see now that while I may have spoken what I believed, my actions, many times, speak something different. When I have refused to allow God to have His way in a situation in my life, when I have tried to fight for control, that is unbelief. I might be able to manipulate others, but I can't manipulate God. He knows me too well.


If I am going to F.R.O.G. then I must take a LEAP of faith. I must place my confidence on Him and no longer on my own abilities. I must let go of the notion that I know best and have the right to have everything I want, in my time, in my way. I want to become relentless in my pursuit of my understanding that He is faithful, He can be trusted and He can be believed. 

Care to leap along with me?