Sometimes in this journey called life we get impatient. We start to worry about what’s next and what’s ahead, which robs us of the moment we are in. I recently went on a spring break trip with a few family members to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We stayed in an airbnb in Sevierville which is a city on the outer-skirts of Pigeon Forge. Upon leaving to go home, we did not go back the way we came. We decided to go back through Gatlinburg to check out what that was like, not to experience it, but just to see. As we drove through Gatlinburg, my grandfather noticed the traffic and made the decision to keep going forward by taking county roads back home. We started going through the Smoky Mountains. As we kept driving, I was sitting in the back seat pulling out my GPS to see exactly where we were were and where we were headed. There were several dead spots on the mountain so the internet connection kept cutting on and off. My grandparents were in the other car trailing behind us. Note that the original plan was for them to break off and go home early and we (two of my siblings and I) would go home later. We kept trailing each other. After we kept ascending the mountain, I became very cautious noticing every little thing and inwardly wanting to go back the way we came (after all, we knew that way and it would be easier). In my mind we were on half a tank of gas, with limited cell phone service, and then I was not quite sure about the directions my grandfather continued to be adamant about. Nevertheless, we kept driving through the Smoky Mountains and the view was amazing! The air was crisp, cool, and light. Compared to Birmingham, this air was so clean. The random creeks and waters rushing through the rocks and the peaceful crashes of the waves on the side of the road were just beautiful! The higher we went up, it seemed as though the view got better. Honestly, anywhere we were on the mountains had its perks. God’s creation was all so marvelous in my eyes! God is GOOD and absolutely AMAZING! We saw icicles forming on the rocks the higher we went up.
We eventually made it to the top of the mountain where there was a rest stop, but with all of the signs pointing this way and that way, we did not know quite which way to go. Now the sign said 20 miles to Cherokee [something] and 15 miles to Gatlinburg. You should already know by now that I was thinking we should go back. We stayed on the mountain for a bit. It was a nice moment to use the restroom and take break if anyone had to. We took pictures and admired the beauty of God’s creation. My grandmother asked a gentleman about directions and he replied that he was from North Carolina and he just got to the Smoky Mountains from there. [Excuse me?] Stuck on the mountain was another sign that said “NORTH CAROLINA TENNESSEE STATE LINE ELEVATION 5046 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK”.
You mean to tell me we were in another state. We tried to figure out which way we were headed next. I sat in the car praying for God to direct us and get us out of there. Needless to say, we got back in the car and kept going forward and ended up descending the mountain.
We ended up in North Carolina, driving through various cities and counties. We stopped at the Cherokee County Visitor’s Center/Rest Stop. My grandmother and I went to the creek flowing through the back of the building and decided to sample the water. It was risky, but exciting, and the water tasted so good. (Lowkey that water could have been bottled right there, haha). My family and I really took our time getting back and we got to enjoy every moment that was presented to us: architecture and homes tucked away in the mountains, vast lands, purple mountains, cattle and other animals, and even places to visit for future travel. Having the opportunity to talk with my siblings and bond with them during the trip and on the drive was priceless. This part of the trip reminded me of Psalm 121. Now, eventually, we found out that we indeed went the wrong way; however, we were right where we needed to be. It took us longer to get back, but we also don’t know what God was protecting us from had we gone the way we originally planned. If we went back the way we came, we would have missed out on all the extra we got to see. For a trip that was focused on one state, we got to experience three (TN, NC, and GA).
A few reminders:
Enjoy every moment in life, because you don’t get that particular moment back. There is beauty in being rerouted when it is God’s plan for the reroute. Embrace where you are in life. Be content with what you have. Trust God, and keep your eyes on Him regardless of your circumstances and what they point to. Look to God and be led by Holy Spirit. God knows what’s ahead, where you’re going, where you are, and where you’ve been. Stop worrying. Be patient. Enjoy life. Move in faith.
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2, KJV
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