It was a Friday night and my son, Jon, and I were out celebrating his 30th birthday. We had just finished a lovely meal at a Spanish restaurant in Houston and were headed to a dance studio to take a salsa lesson at 9 pm. We had less than 30 minutes to get there. On the way to the car after dinner, I started to get excited about the evening. It would be the first dance lesson my son has had and perhaps I was more excited than he. I had found a coupon for free entry if we arrived before 9:30.
"This is going to be so much fun!" I exclaimed as I settled into his new Nissan with the homemade birthday cake on my lap.
Now, Houston is not exactly the easiest place to get around. The city is huge and so are the highways. Jon plugged in the address of the studio into his trusty GPS and waited. And waited. And waited. No response.
"I know where this place is," he announced and pulled out of the parking spot.
"We're looking for 59 north," he said.
As we headed out of the city, it seemed we were going into nowhereland.
"I don't see any signs for 59 north," I said. After circling the side roads, we eventually hit a dead end. Jon's tone was becoming firmer and the tension in the air was getting thicker by the minute.
"Doesn't look like we're going to make the lesson, so we might as well go home," he announced. It was like someone stuck a pin in my balloon of anticipation and excitement.
"Ok, if that's what you want to do," I surrendered.
Then Jon says: "I think the enemy is trying to get us into a fight to ruin the evening. But he's not going to get his way. Forget this GPS. I think I know how to get us there," Jon stated with a renewed sense of determination. My hopes started to rise again as he found the way to a highway.
It was 9:20 when we pulled into the parking lot of the studio.
"Let's take a few breaths," Jon said and we both sat in silence for a few minutes collecting ourselves.
Peace must be fought for.
We knew we had avoided a close call and we both accepted that fact that we had missed the lesson.
"At least we made it in time to get in free," I offered.
We stepped into the studio. The place was hopping with activity.
"I guess the lesson is over," I said to the gal checking us in at the door.
"No, as a matter of fact, it is going to start in 5 minutes."
Jon and I looked at each other in amazement. We both knew what had happened.
"That's God's favor," Jon says quietly. "Because we didn't get into an argument in the car,".
I was grateful for both the unexpected blessing of the dance lesson and for the fact that Jon was so wise to have learned this lesson so young. It had taken me years to realize this.
So, next time you find yourself in a tense situation that is out of your control, remember to defuse it by surrendering. When we choose peace instead of conflict, we not only save our energy and our spirits, but God smiles upon us with favor.
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Love to hear your feedback on your latest adventure and until next time, keep looking up!
Ariel