As I write this I am sitting in a small Starbucks at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Texas.  I am waiting for my son to pick me up so we can drive him, his belongings and his car back to New Jersey.  He was supposed to pick me up at 4:00 p.m. and it is now 5:23 p.m. and he won’t be here for at least another hour.  The reason he is late is because on his way to pick me up he stopped to get us a  mouthwatering, delicious, make me drool just thinking about it brisket, sausage, and burnt bacon ends sandwich at Heim Texas Craft Barbecue on Magnolia Street in Forth Worth.  But that is not the reason he is late.  On his way to pick up that taste of heaven his car brakes failed.  He was driving and all of a sudden, without warning, the brakes stopped working.  He had to pump them several times and then jam them on to get them to work.  You can imagine how nervous he must have been.  I don’t even like to think about it.  He had the brakes serviced two weeks ago  along with other repairs in preparation for this road trip.  Last week he had an issue with the tire that was related to the new brakes but the mechanic said all was fine and he was good to go.

     He was good to go, but the car wasn’t.

     As my plane was landing James was texting me with the “bad news” about the brakes and how we were going to be set back about three hours for our trip.  It is a 24 hour trip and we were planning on getting a good start to it but it seems like that will be delayed.  But all I kept thinking was: “This problem with the brakes is an answer to prayer.”  I thought that because we have been praying (along with many others) for a safe trip and that the car would hold out and get us back home without any problems.  Somehow, through prayer, God intervened and our plans were altered.  We are better prepared now for a safe trip home.  An answer to prayer in a way that we did not expect.

     What would have happened if James didn’t stop for the sandwich?  He would have been traveling down the highway at 75 m.p.h. (The speed limit in Texas ) and the brakes would have went on him.  Or the brakes would have held out until he picked me up and then we would have been traveling down the highway at 75 m.ph. and the brakes would have went.  it is a lot harder to stop at car traveling at 75 m.p.h.on a highway then it is at 20 m.p.h. down a side street.

      Lessons relearned and reinforced?  When you make your plans make sure you add “Lord willing.”  (James 4:13 – 15).  When “bad” things happen look for how God may be allowing the “bad” to bring forth the good. (Genesis 50:20).  Be thankful, every day, because you never know how things can change in an instant.  Live in the moment with a grateful heart. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

      We will be on the road soon.  And Lord willing, we will be home by Saturday.  James never did get that sandwich because the brakes failed before he got to Heim’s.  I am still looking for something good in that one bad situation but I will be thankful for whatever we eat tonight.