Logan's Roadhouse and Grace

Patience is said to be a virtue.  Remaining patient is tough for me at doctor’s offices, in bad traffic, and waiting to be seated at restaurants.  Over the years I have learned techniques to make things better.  For instance, I decided to not be concerned with how long a trip takes when traveling.  It is about the journey, not the destination.   

Recently my family was returning home from vacation.  The GPS showed we would arrive home at 6:40pm.  A click switched in my head and I went into attack mode thinking we could efficiently conquer this 12 ½ hour drive.  Bad idea!  Everyone was noticeably content; especially after a couple of quick pit stops.  I contemplated decompressing at home from the long day’s trip.  It was an extremely smooth trip; UNTIL… Red lights of people hitting their brakes!  Traffic came to a standstill, and it started raining!  Start and stop traffic continued for miles.  

After the traffic finally cleared, our ETA was 8:00pm.  I was thinking the trip could still be conquered in a timely fashion; UNTIL… fog was added to the rain and start and stop traffic began again.  Our ETA sloooowly became 9:00pm.  My wife tried to distract our minds from the traffic by having us sing our favorite songs.  Everyone jumped at the opportunity to participate, except me.  From the back I hear, “Dad, isn’t this your favorite song?” “Yes,” I begrudgingly replied.  He further probed, “Then why aren’t you singing it with us?”

Have you ever had one of those days?  In reality it’s not that bad, but in your mind it continues growing into becoming the worse day ever.  We decided to stop for a sit down meal at Logan’s Roadhouse.  Oh, 30 minute wait time too.  After the meal my oldest said, “Dad, great meal.  Thanks!”  We sent the waiter with money in tow to pay the bill.  He returned saying, “The people that were sitting at the table behind you already paid for your meal!”  What?  Why?  They were gone and no reason was given.

I sensed God speaking to me as we left.  My disgust with the day did not lend itself to having someone pay for our meal.  However, if we had not endured all the traffic, rain, and fog along the way, then we would have missed out on this great lesson of grace.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 [Jesus said,] “My grace is all you need.  My power works best in weakness.”  So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Grace is not deserved nor earned.  It truly is a gift.  The greatest and most underserved gift comes from Jesus!  Don’t get caught up in the circumstances of life, but decide that God’s grace truly is all you need!  Look past the hardships and troubles.  God’s grace truly wants to shine into and through your life. 

In Christ Alone and continuing in prayer,

Chad (Senior Pastor, Henderson General Baptist Church)  

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