In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6
I have always loved this verse, especially when read with the preceding verse about trusting the Lord with all your heart. Inadvertently, I recently experienced the importance of this scripture.
People around me know I am the “Shoebox Guy.” I love Operation Christmas Child and have packed boxes for needy children through this ministry for years. I coordinate packing and collection at my church and serve as an Area Coordinator. Many days, I eat/sleep/breathe shoeboxes, and I’m always looking for items to fill the nooks and crannies.
Another shoebox friend of mine told me about an elementary school resource center coordinator in a neighboring county who had new small toys she was willing to give away for shoeboxes. My friend didn’t have to tell me twice—I immediately contacted the lady and made arrangements to travel to this remote school for pick up.
One day, I got off work early and called the school to let them know I was coming. My wife punched in the address in her GPS app (one we usually trust). We actually had two choices of which way to go, and we chose the fastest option even though we knew the roads were a little curvy in that direction. We live in remote southeastern Kentucky, so we’re used to the mountains and the curves.
Well, we thought so.
We wound our way through a remote area that had been hit with flooding a few weeks before, and there were areas where we were stopped by workers trying to repair roads. We made it through that part of the trip, and the GPS directed us to turn off the main road to a side road. Actually, calling it a “road” is a bit of a stretch.
Even though I live in the mountains and pride myself on being able to navigate the terrain, I have never been on such a narrow, treacherous road. At a certain point, the road became a roller coaster, going wayyyyy up and then dipping wayyyy down. I started praying, and the aforementioned scripture came to mine.
“Lord, direct my path. Please!”
After what seemed like an eternity but was only a few minutes, we finally made it back to a main road and to the school. The staff filled our vehicle to the brim with wonderful toys that will make their way around the world to eager children. With a full car, we headed back home—the OTHER WAY on a MUCH BETTER road.
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably wondering what this story has to do with writing. Here you go: sometimes I feel like my writing path is that curvy, narrow road. I am navigating unknown territory and often don’t really know where I’m going. What’s going to be the next project that attracts an editor or a publisher? What should I write next? Who’s going to find me HERE?
I remember that verse. Just like every other part of my life, I must acknowledge God in my writing and let Him direct my path. Too many times, I try to run out ahead of Him, but He’s the only One who can truly lead me in the right way.
The next time you find yourself on a remote road or sitting in front of a blank page, acknowledge God and trust Him to direct you. Sit back and watch Him go!
Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate—all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb.
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