Getting Left Behind at a Chinese Fire Drill

             

Many of you who have read my blogs for a while now know that I often take funny stories and turn them into a Biblical life lesson.  This one is no different.

            

 My first car was full of personality.  It was a 1979 Cutlass Oldsmobile, the perfect tank for a first time driver.  I think it may have doubled for a submarine had I ever tried to submerge it in water.  Perhaps the periscope attachment came separately.  It was silver on the outside, and was supposed to be red on the inside but had been sun faded to red and hot pink on the interior. The car’s name was Rocko.   I once fit 9 people in it, but that’s another story.  This is a picture that was taken of me in the car…I still love that banana clip LOL!

            

 As any new teenage driver who suddenly finds a bit of freedom I had my moments of childhood antics in that car.  I could tell a few stories here, but for the sake of the blog today I’ll get right down to the Chinese Fire Drills.   For those that don’t know a Chinese Fire Drill is when you’re stopped at a red light or a railroad crossing and everyone gets out of the car, runs around the car, and then gets back in.

             

I was driving my friend’s home from somewhere that sunny afternoon.  I don’t remember where we were coming from, but I do remember having two of my friends in the car.  I pulled up to a railroad crossing and saw the train coming.  I looked around and suddenly called, “Chinese Fire Drill!”  Without thinking much of it, I ran around the car thinking that I would get joined in my quest for looking like a temporary idiot.  Instead my friend who had been sitting in the passenger seat slid over to the driver’s seat and locked me out.  At about this time the train had ended and the cars were going.  Without batting an eyelash she put the car in drive and left me there.  Today I have learned to laugh at my humiliation but I didn’t then.  I watched that tank of a car drive off without me and I kept thinking, “What am I going to do now?”  Without many options, and of course this was before massive cell phone usage, I started to walk.  I walked over the railroad hump and then I saw my car.  My friends hadn’t really left me.  They just waited for me on the other side.  I was embarrassed and needless to say I don’t think I ever called a Chinese Fire Drill again.  I got back in the car and drove them home. 

             

We have all had those moments in life where we felt left, forsaken, and forgotten.  People will disappoint you, and sometimes you can feel that God is too.  But no matter how much you may feel God has left you, He didn’t…He won’t…He promises you that!

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

             

Though sometimes you can feel you’ve been left behind you haven’t.  God does not lie.  Even when you’re all alone on a road because you made some poor choices God is still there.  He doesn’t leave you. 

 
Life can be a challenge.  Sometimes you can feel all alone and no one understands.  I remember once in prayer.  I had a habit of asking people if what I was saying made sense to them.  I was asking God that, and He responded to me, “Anna, I created your mind.  Of course that makes sense to me.”  God understand where you are, He understands you for you.  Even in all of that He loves you unconditionally, and He will never leave you.  The next time you feel left on the side of the road, remember that.  God is right there with you. 

Remember God has awesome plans for your life.  Get excited.