pouring down.

i'm sitting here, really trying to justify the need i had to drive to costco in the pouring texas rain {we're not talkin' about just a casual drip and a little drop there}. i've already gone and successfully returned in one piece, thanks to the angels who knowingly departed with me, likely hovering over every square inch of our subi. to put it nicely, it was terrifying.

have you ever suffered through those driving experiences, only to be left an hour later still thanking the heavens for your very life and the mere fact you survived? umm...i've had a few too many. and i don't seem to be learning from a single one.

on this occasion, i had a friend following me. only to add to my sweaty, white knuckles was this feeling of protection for the passengers following in a big rig close behind. most likely, my puddles were splashing up in her windshield only to blind her more. nice, right? and tom, our little navigation buddy, was pretty much the devil. his little, "stay left ahead and take the second right. merge left, but stay right. take exit ahead. exit now...hold on for your dear life as you cut across four lanes of merging traffic in the pouring rain. oh, and try to keep up", monotone, tricky voice made me want to scream. thanks, tom. thanks.

but as i gaze sweetly at my neatly organized rows of toilet paper and paper towels tucked away in my pantry, i smile. i just might have to think it was worth the trip. but only this time. never again in the pouring rain. never again with tom as my guide. never again with dear friends following behind my trail of blinding puddles. never again do i want to purposefully risk my life for a few rolls of paper products and dishwasher soap. costco just isn't worth that risk, after all {as she gasps finding out the truth}.

it makes me wonder...what other areas in my life am i willing to take a risk? i might fail. i might get splashed on, or even drenched. i might get laughed at. i might get made fun of or hurt. but when is it really worth it? when am i willing to step out and see?

Lord, give me strength to trust you in all areas. from the serious to the mundane, allow me to fall on you for guidance. allow me to always be willing to risk for you...no matter what. allow me to be rained on by your grace alone. thank you for your safety today as i crazily ventured out. thank you for watching over me with a warm embrace. thank you for always being worth any risk i'll ever take for your glory.