Dismissed- On Account of Non-Compliance

A few years ago, I woke up one morning with nervous energy. I had been asked to teach a short class at a weekend retreat with the teenagers at our church.
I was also asked to fill my SUV with four of these bright brilliant beautiful people and head to a two-day “Girls Camp”.
My nerves were likely rooted in the idea that this was the first time I had been invited back to any kind of “Girls Camp” after having been dismissed “permanently” nearly 40 years prior when I was 13 years old- all on account of non-compliance.

I ate my breakfast of champions: toast and Diet Coke, grabbed my bags,
and headed out.
I started my rig only to be rudely greeted with warning signs and sirens indicating low air pressure with one of my tires.

I quickly exited my rig, frustrated that I didn’t have time for even a tiny crisis. My tire wasn’t just low, it was flat; the culprit- a nail- was visible. I brushed off frustration and entered problem-solving mode. I quickly pivoted, took my husband’s truck (with permission), and was on my way.

Our Girls Camp group met together, received instructions, and loaded up in the cars for an on-time departure. The only problem I encountered was that my reading classes were not in my husband’s truck. They were in the console of my SUV tucked away back at home in my garage.
The driving directions were in tiny font and I couldn’t even begin to read them.
Nevertheless, I had the help of a 17-year-old navigator.
We made it to camp great, but later that afternoon while returning to the cabin after an outing- I got lost.

We were in the woods in unfamiliar territory surrounded by dense vegetation.
I had the girls tell me which way they thought we should go at every crossroad.
Soon the road narrowed significantly and there was a drop off on one side. The fun chit-chatter in the car quieted and I noted the shift to silent fear.
I slowed to a stop and asked the girls if they thought it was the right time to pray for help. They unanimously indicated it was time and one of those beautiful faith-filled teenagers uttered a prayer pleading for help so that we could find our way back to the cabin.

I was thoroughly calm, though completely lost. I knew we had been headed in the wrong direction, but hoped the lesson in being lost and finding our way may be one we remembered for some time.

Within 10 minutes we circled back to the main road, found a gas station, and the rescue vehicle that was sent to find us.
The girls and I went in, filled the counter with snacks and sodas, and enthusiastically recounted the fun we had while being lost in the woods and finding our way out.

I may not have gained favor with the PIC (person in charge), but I’m hoping our truck full of girls better understood God’s availability to each of us.

The moment before we prayed felt tense. The mood had obviously shifted and safety felt a bit compromised. All agreed we needed help and needed it right then.
And God knew it all-
He also knew there were more experiences awaiting the girls at camp and that it was time to get back.

God’s love-
God’s timing-

Lost in the woods, I had let go of controlling the turns we took to initially find the cabin. I turned it over to the girls- knowing the route may not be direct. Such was not the most important path that afternoon.

Likewise, a perfectly direct path is not what matters most today. Arriving at the destination I seek is never more important than how I show up for the journey. God knows this perfectly and thus allows me to feel or even become lost in my level of agency.

My non-compliance with the schedule of Girls Camp that day may return me to the list of people less likely to be asked to attend again. 😉
But it was worth it to watch faith grow, and be inspired by a simple prayer uttered in complete faith that God heard and chose to quickly answer.

I reflect on this experience often as I work to better understand God’s availability to me. I begin with being honest and vulnerable as I approach him in silent and verbal pleas for the strength to let go of controlling the outcomes of life and submit to the joy of the journey.

God is 100% available to me but without hesitation, I understand that it is His perfect love and intent that allows my agency to play out. He is there with His Son to await me with perfect grace and nudge me to gain the same.

An untimely flat tire, or any other hiccup comes with it an opportunity to seek God and decide what I believe about how He can and may show up to lead me and guide me as I work to battle through the “stuff” that can lead me- based on what I choose to believe- towards or away from a belief in Him.

It’s all part of His perfect wisdom.
But without hesitation, I know. I am never lost to Him. His watchful eye and Shepard Son always have me within reach.
As my eyes and hand shift upward- that’s the faith They want from me to meet me where I am.

-JC

Scotcheroo Balls

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1  ¼ cups peanut butter
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
2 cups milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups butterscotch chips
3 Tablespoons Crisco or coconut oil

Mix sugar into corn syrup. Heat until dissolved, not boiling. Stir in peanut butter.  Fold into Rice Krispies. Scoop out 48 balls of Scotcheroos. Lightly spray hands with baking spray and roll balls gently. Prepare Chocolate and butterscotch chips for dipping by melting them with Crisco. Stir well. Dip each ball into the chocolate mixture. Garnish with additional butterscotch or chocolate drizzle. (I melted an additional ½ cup butterscotch chips with ½ Tablespoon Crisco for drizzle.) Let set. Share!