I love to drive. When given the option to fly or drive to a city within 5 or 6 hours, I would much rather drive. I enjoy the comfort of my own vehicle listening to music or podcasts, talking to people, and talking to God. I can stop when I want to and pack all the bags I need. However, driving 4,000 miles, roughly 60+ hours, over 16 days was not something I ever imagined doing. The Holy Spirit urged me to expand my thinking regarding what was possible. And this, I realized, is what is needed for us to experience BREAKTHROUGH.
The impetus for the whole trip started after my aunt cancelled her 90th birthday party due to COVID last September. I wanted to celebrate her and see my cousin, Donna, whom I had not seen in 30 years. She had moved back to Maine from England in 2019. A close friend moved to New Hampshire and was just 90 minutes away. And my family on Long Island was just a 5-hour drive from Portland, ME. Hmmm. Maybe I could see them all, but the cost of flying and renting a car would be high.
If I were to drive, I thought, I could make a stop in St. Louis to visit friends from The Rooted Sisters, go on to Cincinnati to visit my WiM coworkers and friends, then make visits in New Hampshire, Maine and Long Island. My cousin chose the date of July 15th back in early February. From there, God expanded my vision for what this trip could look like—North Carolina to visit my brother and his wife in their new house, Nashville for ministry connections, Oxford, MS to see my son’s sister, Robyn, then home to Northwest Arkansas—a total of 4,000 miles.
I must admit, I wasn’t sure I would go through with it. I wasn’t even sure I could actually do it alone—my husband couldn’t take the time away from his work. As I dreamed and planned, the details fell into place in ways I could not have imagined.
A friend in St. Louis offered to invite other Rooted Sisters to a happy hour so I could meet people I had only seen on Zoom; the date for golf outing in Cincinnati to raise money for BOLDLY wound up falling right when I was there; my cousin and her husband decided to move back to England within weeks of my visit; my niece had her first baby 4 days before I arrived on Long Island; my brother moved into his new house a month before I arrived; I had 4 great meetings with people in Nashville—three brand new connections and one friend I met in person for the first time.
There is no doubt in my mind that God was with me. I wear a ring that says, “If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.” I experienced:
- His hand of protection over me through the weather and the challenges driving can present (random objects in the lane, like a bench; people who run red lights) (Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 84:11).
- His guidance when I had to make quick decisions (a significant road on my route was closed!) (Proverbs 3:5-6).
- His provision after having been told the day before I left that I had to avoid certain foods due to food sensitivities (black pepper, all dairy and eggs, asparagus, coconut, all sugar, and more)—I was able to adhere to my modified diet at least 95% of the time (Luke 12:24).
- Supernatural energy for even the longest leg of the trip (10 hours of driving without fatigue!).
- Courage drawn from His presence—in spite of some people sharing their concerns for my safety. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
- Awe at the wonders surrounding us in God’s creation—I got to experience Niagara Falls for the first time, relax along the coastline of Maine, linger by the Atlantic Ocean, and take in the awesome Smoky Mountains (Psalm 95:3-5).
The growth that God brought me during this trip came in realizing I can accomplish so much more than I allow myself to believe at times. My part is to follow His lead and trust in Him. You see, when we stay in our comfort zones our belief in what we can accomplish shrinks, like a muscle that goes without being exercised. Breakthrough is only possible when we stretch, leave our comfort zones behind and take the risks God puts on our hearts. Then we strengthen our faith and expand our horizons on what we believe is possible and what we will attempt for God.
Many of us have things we dream of accomplishing that seem so much bigger than us. Driving 4,000 miles was certainly less physically demanding than rowing 2,400 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean for those four women. Still, it’s amazing what human beings can accomplish with a bit of motivation, a strong mindset and lots of faith. Suddenly the world of possibilities opens up and we find we can achieve things of which we never imagined we were capable.
What crazy thing has God been calling you to do? It’s as simple as taking one step at a time in prayer, dreaming, planning, sharing with others. Then watch what breakthrough God does through you (Isaiah 43:19)!
