Jesus, take the wheel!
It’s just after 4 p.m. and we’re back from our trip to New Orleans. It’s official. Trey’s gone.
HEAVY sigh.
I should’ve known when I woke up in pee again—NOT MINE but Sophie’s, in case you needed clarification—it was gonna’ be a long day. Cammie and I went to bed after midnight. And then I tossed and turned all night. Apparently Trey’s father, Charles, did not get a good night’s sleep either. But he drove us there anyway with only a printout of directions and no map. We laughed and laughed about Cammie’s and Trey’s sense of direction. And then we hit the bridge over the Mississippi and realized we missed our exit.
Not to worry, though. Several one-way streets, one wrong way on a one-way street with a very panicked, very pregnant, heavy-sighing, “OH MY GOSH WE’RE GONNA’ DIE” woman and a sweet forever later . . . WE MADE IT TO MEPS IN NEW ORLEANS! And then we saw Trey and it was all worth it.
We had discussed ahead of time—although not in an actual conversation, but rather on facebook—that I would drive us back in the likely event that Cammie and Charles would be overcome with emotion and distraught over Trey’s departure. We further discussed—or rather, I mentioned on facebook—that perhaps our back-up in the event that I, too, should be distraught would simply be, Jesus, take the wheel.
We did not anticipate our need to call on Him in such desperation due to our passing our exit, becoming lost, several near misses including that wrong way turn on a one-way street, and Charles’ high speed pursuit of the MEPS vehicles on the way to the airport.
But not to worry. We zigged and zagged through traffic faster than a speeding bullet. I maintained a calm facade while making not one, but three phone calls to Verizon for the number to the Airport in hopes of gaining knowledge of how one might obtain a pass through security to see a loved one off to combat training. After an endless chain of phone calls: Verizon, the Heliport (WHAT?), Verizon, some unknown airport, Verizon, and FINALLY (insert Hallelujah chorus here) the Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans (suppose I should’ve been that specific with the operator), I was told that, “only ticketed passengers are allowed through security.” Throughout our perilous journey, Cammie mentioned numerous times that she did not remember the trip from MEPS to the airport taking so long when she went to basic training.
After several more near misses, multiple squeals from the pregnant woman, overcome with nausea and fear, we zoomed into the airport on two wheels with white knuckles clutching the passenger handles. But, like a cruel joke, the MEPS vehicle did, in fact, arrive before us in spite of our record speed.
With Trey’s cell phone about to die, Cammie ended quickly his informative call to her stating that he was already there and questioning where we were with no time to ponder the how, why and where of our arrivals.
Emotion rose quickly as we panted our way to Trey. With only minutes to spare before his flight arrived, we said our goodbyes.
Emotional Father & Son
Emotional Husband & Wife
Not Pictured: Emotional Mother-in-law & Son-in-law
And then we watched Trey head off through security. That’s him in the white shirt. Run, Forrest Trey, run!
With tears streaming, lumps growing in our throats, we hung our heads and held our wadded tissue and headed back to the car. After a mumble or two about who would drive home, it was obvious to me that we were all wondering who would be the best choice. I knew it was my duty as mother of the distraught new Bride to take on the responsibility. And after all, I did voluntarily offer this service to the distraught father.
Perhaps it was the lack of sleep, drop in blood-sugar due to starvation, or maybe the overwhelming anxiety at the thought of navigating the streets of New Orleans, but I did not rise to the occasion.
So Charles was once again in charge and took the wheel. Motivated by our search for the Piccadilly that apparently left town sometime after Katrina, we did not focus on Charles’ driving skillz. Instead we circled ’round and ’round in pursuit of comfort food until we found The Louisiana Purchase Kitchen. It beckoned us with its charm.
Alas, a place of solace for our weary souls with an all you can eat buffet. As we sat dining and laughing and discussing the timing of the baby’s birth, the faint sound of a familiar song played softly in the background. “Listen,” Charles instructed. There, in that quaint little place, Carrie Underwood’s voice was heard, “Jesus, take the wheel . . .”
We smiled and laughed and knew with certainty that He indeed wanted us to know that He was in control. And then we finished eating and the reality that one of us would indeed have to take the wheel set in.
But not to worry. God’s grace showed up like a good night’s sleep on clean sheets (WHERE did that simile come from? 😉 ). That and Cammie likely could not bear the thought of riding the passenger side of her car with a distraught Charles behind the wheel. I’m just not sure that would go as smoothly as his we better get where we’re going FAST or we’ll miss Trey driving.
So off we went with Cammie behind the wheel. Very slowly. Very cautiously. Because she “doesn’t care what people think”. After that wreck she was in, she is determined to drive very cautiously. And besides, “you’re supposed to leave one car length between you and the person in front of you.”
So we poked along and arrived home safely, ending our journey long after Trey’s flight landed in Georgia. And not once did I have to take the wheel. Although at times we doubted and thought surely today would be the day we met our Maker, I am now convinced that today, Jesus definitely took the wheel.
Greetings from Ohio! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break.
I really like the information you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
I’m amazed at how fast your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G ..
Anyways, great site!
Ahaa, its pleasant discussion regarding this piece of writing here at this website, I have read all that, so now me also commenting here.
Very good post! We are linking to this particularly great content on our
website. Keep up the great writing.
Hello Dear, are you in fact visiting this web
site daily, if so then you will absolutely obtain fastidious knowledge.
Hi there! I just wish to give you a big thumbs up for your great information you have got right here on this post.
I am returning to your blog for more soon.
Thanks for sharing your info. I truly appreciate
your efforts and I am waiting for your further post thank you once again.
Hi! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone!
Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to
all your posts! Keep up the fantastic work!
Outstanding quest there. What occurred after? Thanks!
Useful info. Fortunate me I discovered your web site by chance,
and I am surprised why this accident didn’t happened earlier!
I bookmarked it.
Heya i am for the primary time here. I came across this board and
I in finding It really useful & it helped me out much. I hope to offer something again and help others such
as you aided me.
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This piece of writing posted at this
website is in fact pleasant.
It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
I’ve read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you some interesting things or tips.
Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this
article. I wish to read even more things about it!
Very good post! We will be linking to this great article on our website.
Keep up the great writing.
I have been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts on this sort of space .
Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this website.
Studying this info So i am happy to convey that I
have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed.
I such a lot without a doubt will make sure to do not disregard this web site and give
it a glance on a relentless basis.
Hello mates, pleasant post and fastidious arguments commented here, I am really enjoying by these.
Wow, superb blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is wonderful, as well as the content!
magnificent issues altogether, you simply received a emblem
new reader. What might you recommend about your put up that you just made a few days ago?
Any positive?
If you are going for finest contents like I do, just visit
this website daily for the reason that it gives quality contents, thanks
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and
I find It truly helpful & it helped me out much.
I’m hoping to provide one thing again and aid others like you helped me.
Remarkable issues here. I am very glad to look your article.
Thank you so much and I’m taking a look ahead to contact you.
Will you please drop me a e-mail?
Hello, i believe that i saw you visited my website thus i got
here to go back the favor?.I am trying to find things
to improve my website!I guess its good enough to make use of some of
your concepts!!
You made some really good points there. I looked on the web to learn more about the issue and
found most people will go along with your views on this site.
What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this
I have discovered It positively useful and it has aided me out loads.
I’m hoping to give a contribution & assist different
customers like its helped me. Good job.
Highly descriptive blog, I enjoyed that a lot.
Will there be a part 2?
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.
I’m quite sure I will learn plenty of new stuff right here!
Best of luck for the next!
I have learn a few just right stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting.
I wonder how a lot attempt you place to make the sort of
wonderful informative web site.
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular article!
It is the little changes that produce the most
significant changes. Thanks for sharing!
Hi there, I discovered your blog by way of Google while
looking for a similar topic, your website came up, it seems to be
good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hi there, just turned into alert to your weblog thru Google, and found that it’s really informative.
I’m going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate for those who
continue this in future. A lot of other folks might be benefited out of your
writing. Cheers!
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your weblog?
My blog site is in the very same niche as yours and my users would genuinely benefit from
some of the information you provide here. Please
let me know if this okay with you. Regards!
Good article. I am facing many of these issues as well..
What a material of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious experience on the topic of unpredicted feelings.
Post writing is also a excitement, if you know after that you can write or else it is difficult to write.
This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your
fantastic post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social
networks!
I got this website from my pal who told me regarding this web page and at the
moment this time I am browsing this website and reading
very informative posts at this place.
I used to be recommended this blog by my cousin. I am not certain whether this submit is written by way
of him as nobody else recognize such detailed about my trouble.
You’re amazing! Thanks!
I’m really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog.
Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up
the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog
like this one these days.
In fact no matter if someone doesn’t be aware of
then its up to other viewers that they will assist, so here it occurs.
My family always say that I am wasting my time here at net, but I know I am getting familiarity
every day by reading thes good posts.
It’s very simple to find out any matter on net as compared to textbooks, as I found this paragraph at this site.
With havin so much written content do you ever
run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement?
My blog has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it
appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without
my permission. Do you know any techniques
to help reduce content from being ripped
off? I’d genuinely appreciate it.
Excellent, what a webpage it is! This webpage provides useful facts to
us, keep it up.
Pretty great post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
In any case I will be subscribing for your rss feed and I am hoping you
write again very soon!
My brother suggested I would possibly like this web
site. He was once entirely right. This publish actually made
my day. You can not consider just how so much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your weblog.
You have some really good articles and I think I would be a good asset.
If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some content for your
blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please shoot me an email if interested.
Kudos!
For hottest information you have to pay a visit the web and on the web I found this web site as
a most excellent site for newest updates.
I all the time used to read post in news papers but now as I am a user
of web thus from now I am using net for content,
thanks to web.
Have you ever thought about creating an ebook or guest authoring
on other blogs? I have a blog centered on the same topics
you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know
my readers would appreciate your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.
Hello there! I just would like to offer you a huge
thumbs up for your excellent information you have got here on this post.
I’ll be returning to your website for more soon.
Thanks for finally talking about > Jesus, take the wheel!
| Lines In The Sand | Insert Grace Here < Loved it!
When someone writes an article he/she keeps the plan of a user in his/her mind that how a user
can understand it. Therefore that’s why this article is perfect.
Thanks!