Last weekend, my family and I took a road trip to Washington D.C.  In addition to spending Easter with family, we spent time with my Dad whose health has recently declined.  For Brady, Ryan and me, this trip had a special tug on our hearts. We enjoyed our visit but we also spent some time in reflection. Here are three life lessons that impressed me from the road.

Traveling companions see our true colors.  As Brady, Ryan, and I travel we’re often reminded of each other’s unique qualities.  For example, I wanted to take the Beltway, the interstate around the city.  I thought it would get us from place to place with fewer delays.  And yet, I was happily overruled by my husband and son’s sense of adventure.  As we went through the city I had to grin and bear it.

Who do you travel with in life?  Is there someone who shares your sense of direction or appreciates the path you are on?  Whether we’re sharing a car or a crisis with someone else we can learn a lot about their personality.  If we are each open, honest, and kind any shared observations can help us learn about ourselves too.

Traffic is unpredictable — press through it.  I like cruise control.  Setting my preferred speed and staying in the same lane has its benefits.  However, as we approached the city traffic slowed considerably.  It was time to shut the cruise control off and turn perseverance on.

I knew we were going to see loved ones and this visit with my father was crucial.  Knowing the “why” of a journey helps us to put unpredictable events in proper perspective. The traffic of what’s going on around us may move slower or become a lot closer than we like.  But a keen awareness of God’s grace and truth keeps us moving forward.

Trust the map or end-up traveling elsewhere. The timely instruction from a GPS reminds us that maps are our friends.  But if you’ve ever taken a wrong turn, you also know the GPS will redirect you and even insist that you get back on course.

Our route for this weekend was familiar, but we could not escape a basic principle:  follow the map and arrive at your intended destination. Don’t follow the map and you won’t.

From a faith perspective, I know what it is like to end-up at an unintended place.  Sometimes what I think is best is far from the best way for me to experience the will of God.  Thankfully, Scripture points the way.   

As we journey through life, here’s some good news:  our traveling companions, the unpredictability of traffic, and the map we follow all matter to God.  As we are open to the people, the pace, and the place He requires it brings hope to the heart and joy to the soul.

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” – Hebrews 10:35-36 NLT