He Knows the Way that I Take…
On Father’s Day last year, my grandson, Bobby, and his wife, Krysta, and their children, Timothy and Sienna, were traveling through rural Pennsylvania on their way to visit some of Krysta’s family in Maryland. Bobby, Krysta, and their two little ones are all deaf and use sign language to communicate. Pennsylvania has some very wooded, steep hilly areas with no homes or businesses along the road, mostly forest. When they had stopped for their last gas stop, Bobby had noticed a slight smell but was not sure if it was coming from his vehicle or not.
After pulling back on the highway, as they were going down a steep incline, the car began to slow up while his feet were off both the brake and the gas. Bobby figured something was wrong with the brakes. So, they pulled off at an exit at the bottom of the hill and found themselves in an open flat area in the middle of nowhere, nothing in sight but trees. Smoke was coming from the front tire on the driver’s side. Not a good sign! With family more than an hour away, the situation seemed a bit overwhelming to Bobby. Krysta took Timothy and Sienna out of the car and had them play closer to the woods to avoid the car and the road as Bobby worked to fixed the car. As he jacked the car up and removed the tire, he noticed the brake pads were locked on the rotor. There was nothing Bobby could do with the limited tools he had with him.
Bobby was walking around the car trying to figure out a plan when Krysta came up to him and asked if he had prayed about this. He admitted that he was so overwhelmed he hadn’t thought to ask God for help. So, the two of them stood there and prayed asking God to give Bobby wisdom on how to fix the problem, keep the family safe, and get them back on their way again. As they were finishing their prayer, Krysta noticed a black truck slowing down to check on them. She informed Bobby that there was a guy in the truck trying to talk to them. Bobby turned around to look. The man tried to say something, but Bobby had no idea what he was saying. Bobby replied by shaking his head and signing, “I’m deaf.” Immediately, the man in the truck signed back, “so you can sign”. Bobby stood there in shock! There they were in the middle of nowhere in mountainous Pennsylvania on a Father’s Day but as soon as they finished praying God sent a man to help who knew Sign Language!
Not many people know Sign Language. When you are out in the woods you are not expecting to have anyone come along, let alone someone who signs. This man grew up with Deaf parents who knew sign language. He also worked on cars as a hobby. Additionally, his wife and hard of hearing son were with him. They got out of their truck and kept Krysta and Timothy company while the men worked on the vehicle. This guy immediately identified the issue and bled the excessive brake fluid trapped in the brake lines near the rotor. The brakes loosened up and started working again and the men drove around for a little bit to test the brakes. Sure enough, that fixed the problem. Then they were able to drive to Maryland and all the way back to Minnesota safely with no issue. It is just amazing that in the most unlikely location and time, God sent the most qualified person they needed along the road just then and he stopped to help. They were able to drive again without any issue or extensive expensive repairs. What an amazing God we worship! He answers and provides for our needs even as we are speaking our prayer, He is sending the answer!
“But He knows the way that I take (He has concern for it, appreciates and pays attention to it); when He has tried me, I shall come out as (refined) gold.” Job 23:10
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in his way.” Psalm 37:23
That (good) man who stopped and his family were a tremendous blessing that day! They were in the right place at just the right time with just the skills needed.
God is directing your steps every day as well and He knows the way you take.
He meets us right wherever we are with just what we need!
Maybe God will position you to help someone today.
He has already equipped you with everything you need.
Be ready and willing!
