Recalculating

I’m not very good at map reading when we travel. My family and friends will attest to it. It’s just not a skill I possess.  When we took family vacations, I sat in the back seat and one of my daughters took the position of navigator. When I drive alone, using printed step by step instructions takes my eyes off the road and that is not a very good idea! So, our GPS has been a real help whether I am a passenger or driving solo. Jill, the voice of our GPS,  has offered comfort and even some humor.

We went into Pittsburgh a few weeks ago and had some specific destinations in mind. The tall buildings and tunnels in Pittsburgh interfered with satellite reception so at times we didn’t have guidance as to what to do.  Exit, continue, change lanes, or turn?  Stay in the same lane or move? We made a couple of quick decisions and they didn’t turn out to be the right ones. After we missed a turn, we found that we couldn’t make a turn to correct because of road construction or a one way street. Jill would go into her “recalculating” instruction and provide a new path to compensate. Sometimes it was “make a u-turn when possible.”  We listened to instructions to "make a right turn" two streets away, or "continue for 500 feet."  It was a process to get to our destination and we were relieved when we arrived. As we exited the car, we’d pat “Jill” and tell her she had done a good job. She knew exactly where we needed to go and how to get there.

A friend and I have been regularly praying for ourselves and our families.  Our frequent theme has been God’s path for our lives and our desire for all of us to be on it. As I shared my weekend and GPS story, we both laughed as we caught the similarity between Jill and our lives. Like Jill, we seem to “recalculate” often. We find ourselves in challenging places and have decisions to make. Sometimes God has a new and different path for us, one that we didn’t expect. Sometimes, we have had to stay on a path and confidently wait for His direction to take the next turn. Our prayer journal shows us that we have sometimes ignored the path marked out. Our satellite interference was of our own making and rather than focus on God’s perspective and listening for His voice, we used human reasoning and followed our own agenda. As we went our own way and got off course, God had to “recalculate” for us. There are some instances of “u-turns.” There were consequences in our choices, but there was also the evidence of mercy and grace. Finding the right path to walk—trying to get back on course--was a process. If we wanted to get to the right destination, we needed to follow His instructions and safe guidance. Our journeys may have required adjustments, had a few unusual turns and an unfamiliar route or two, but as the navigator, God was trustworthy to get us to the path we needed to follow. Our discoveries have confirmed that His is the best way.  He puts us on the safest route and His timing is perfect, recalculating or not.

Reflection:  Past, present and future!  Read Ps. 5:11-12; Psalm 16: 5, 11; Ps. 18: 30-36; Ps. 32:8-11; and Ps. 138:8. Spend this week meditating on these verses as they relate to the path you are currently on. How do these scriptures hold meaning for you as you think about your past paths?  Can you see God’s footprints and faithfulness?  Can you make any of these passages a prayer? Do they give you confidence and encouragement even in wrong turns and when your life script is being “recalculated”?

(c) Marilyn Nutter 2008                         

 I think the first time I tasted pasta salad was 15 or 20 years ago. Since that time, there have been a number of modifications and “recalculations” of this dish. This is one of my favorite variations. You may want to experiment and “recalculate” one of your recipes!

Pasta Salad Recalculated

8 oz. tri-color Rotini

1 lb fresh asparagus

2 tomatoes, cut into chunks with seeds removed

1 red pepper, seeds removed and cut into strips

¾ cup Parmesan cheese

Cook Rotini according to package directions.  Drain and rinse with cold water. Snap off ends of asparagus and cut into 1-inch pieces. Steam or cook in boiling water until crisp. Drain and cool.

Combine all ingredients except cheese and toss lightly.  Add Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing or Italian dressing to taste. Sprinkle with ½ tsp of oregano and ½ tsp of dried basil (fresh basil, if you have it, is even better but use a bunch of it!). Toss. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours. Before serving, mix in ¾ cup Parmesan cheese.