Every one of us has times when we need to know things will
get better.
My declaration is that is precisely what the gospel of
Jesus Christ offers us, especially in times of need.
30 years ago last month, a little family set out across
the United States, every earthly possessions they owned
packed into the smallest trailer available.
No money.
An old car.
They drove exactly 34 miles up the highway, at which point
their beleaguered car erupted.
The young father surveyed the steam, matched it with his
own, then left his trusting wife and two innocent
children-- the youngest just three months old--
to wait in the car while he walked the three miles or so
to the southern metropolis of Kanarraville, population then,
I suppose, 65.
Some water was secured at the edge of town, and a very kind
citizen offered to drive back to the stranded family.
The car was attended to, and slowly, very slowly, driven
back to Saint George for inspection.
After more than two hours of checking and rechecking, no
immediate problem could be detected, so once again the
journey was begun.
In exactly the same amount of elapsed time at exactly the
same location on that highway, with exactly the same
pyrotechnics from under that hood, the car exploded again.
Now feeling more foolish than angry, the chagrined young
father once more left his trusting loved ones and
started the long walk for help once again.
This time, the man providing the water said, either you or
that fellow who looks just like you ought to get a new
radiator for that car.
He didn't know whether to laugh or to cry at the plight
of this young family.
How far have you come, he said.
34 miles, I answered.
How much farther do you have to go?
2,600 miles, I said.
Well, you might make that trip, and your wife and those
two little kiddies might make that trip, but none of you are
going to make that trip in that car.
He proved to be prophetic on all counts.
Just two weeks ago, I drove by that exact spot.
For just an instant, I thought perhaps I saw on that side
road an old car with a devoted young wife
and two little children.
Just ahead of them, I imagined that I saw a young fellow
walking toward Kanarraville, the weight of a young father's
fear evident in his pace.
In that imaginary instant, I couldn't help calling out to
him, don't you quit!
You keep walking.
You keep trying.
There is help and happiness ahead.
Some blessings come soon.
Some come late, and some don't come till Heaven.
But for those who embrace the gospel of
Jesus Christ, the come.
It will be all right in the end.
Trust God, and believe in good things to come.