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Kristi Woods

Encouraging Women to Walk Deeper with God

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What If Black Pavement Lies Ahead?

March 3, 2015 by Kristi 24 Comments


Are we really going out in that? The roads look incredibly slick. And there’s so much snow. I don’t know…

Visions of ditches and cars mixing like oil and water danced in my head. Control was beginning to close its latch on my confidence.

I don’t want to go out there. Can’t we just stay here in our safe, little abode? 

I hadn’t driven in snow in nearly twenty years. There had been palm trees, beaches, oceans, and sun, but little snow.

The dryer door had been opened. My usually calm and queasy-free stomach had been shoved in at the thought of venturing out. The door had been swatted shut and the permanent press cycle pushed to “on”. My inners jolted from side to side, bouncing off the hot, hard metal tub in a dizzying merry-go-round of emotions.

No, I did not look forward to venturing out in the white wilderness. 

What little winter driving confidence I had was lost in the moment my car began a winter’s waltz on the road nearly twenty-five years prior. She slipped and slid, that little silver bullet of mine, right into the ditch. I wasn’t hurt, neither was the silver bullet, but the glide into the snowy grass was enough to create a hearty knee-buckle whenever November chimed ta-da!  
The effect of the slippery trip off the road remained fresh twenty-five years later. My churning stomach was certain evidence.

Wonderful Husband planned to be at the wheel, not me, so I’m not really sure why I was so nervous. A clean driving record was his. In fact, he had previously performed successful Dukes of Hazard moves of the vehicular kind in the name of our safety. He had the ability; it was a fact.

But, the view from our dining room window was stuck in my mind: snow, and loads of it.

Slick roads.

Cars and ditches mixing like oil and water.

Danger. Do not go out.

But we did.

I perched myself and my permanently pressed, dryer version stomach onto the passenger seat of our mini van. My inners packed the dryer, drum rotating all the while, into that seat. Somehow the seat belt clicked.

Our permission to exit creaked opened with the click of a button. The van ambled out of the garage and began its descent down our hilly, concrete drive.

Hmmm. So far, so good. It doesn’t seem like we’re slipping.

A sigh of relief tippy-toed into my mind as we crept safely down the steep incline.

That sigh of relief continued all the way into town. By then it was tap dancing due to the black pavement of clear roads. It was a completely different view. Both the main roads and the city streets were void of snow and ice. There was no danger.

As I glanced at the black pavement, a God thought rang in my head.

See what happens when you step away from your small view? 
My view is different. 
My ways are higher.

The dining room view suggested a white, slippery trek. My view, holding hands with fear from the past, said danger ahead. Beyond that dining room, however, was more. 
And, it was safe.


Our walk with God often mimics this. Often we see only what’s right in front of us: the problem, the trial, even the “good”. Fear keeps us contained in a small view, causing us to tumble at the thought of stepping out and beyond. When we step in faith, in relationship, in prayer and trust, however, a different view emerges.
Problems find solutions through prayer and faith.

His ways are higher.
Trials transform into victory as we draw near.
His ways are higher.

“Good” transforms into “best” as trust intertwines with the Lord’s plan.
His ways are higher.
What are you facing today? A problem or a trial of sorts? An all-out hurricane or a wave of good ‘ol contentment? 
Are you standing at your dining room window, view intact? I understand. I was there, too, my friend. Fear does something odd to our thinking. The permanent press cycle runs rampant, tossing us back and forth, as fear stands watch.
But what if black pavement lies ahead? 


This one thing today,

for you,

for me:

His ways are higher.

Praise God’s holy name. Amen.

Lord, 
Your ways are higher. Sometimes its difficult to trust that with my view, with circumstances. But today, Lord, I will trust. Have Your way in my life. Show me the path, how to step into Your higher way. I’ll give You the praise. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Care to be encouraged in your faith walk? 
Come check out the powerful plethora of Jesus-building, God-loving posts at Purposeful Faith, Intentionally Pursuing, #TestimonyTuesday, #TellHisStory,  #CoffeeForYourHeart, and #DanceWithJesusLinkUp  .
I’m linking up with these writers this week and would love to “see” you there. 

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Comments

  1. Crystal Storms says

    March 3, 2015 at 5:05 pm

    I love these words, Krisit: “‘Good’ transforms into ‘best’ as trust intertwines with the Lord’s plan. His ways are higher.” Sometimes I struggle with trusting His plans are best, but your words today remind me to hold on and trust His view sees it all and He has prepared the way.

    Thank you for sharing your words and encouraging others at #IntentionalTuesday

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 3, 2015 at 11:13 pm

      I struggle there as well. We’ll keep cheerleading each other, okay? Love having #IntentionalTuesday to link with, Crystal. Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Christine Duncan says

    March 3, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    “Fear does something odd to our thinking…” oh yeah. But as I read your words today I hear this even louder “But not His”. Now if I could just remember that when the fear wants to drown it out, lol.
    Thanks for this post, Kristi, and for the wonderful reminder where you say, “problems find solutions through prayer and faith”
    Visiting from the #RaRaLinkup
    My heart beats AMEN 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 3, 2015 at 11:13 pm

      Amen, Christine, amen!

      Reply
  3. themustardseed123 says

    March 3, 2015 at 8:24 pm

    Absolutely love this post! What a wonderful way in which you saw the Lord in that situation! The dining room view or the black pavement view? God’s ways are higher and thanks for encouraging me to step out in faith, prayer and to simply trust God’s plan for my life. Blessings friend and thank you for joining us at #raralinkup 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 3, 2015 at 11:14 pm

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂 #Writeon at #RaRaLinkUp

      Reply
  4. Kim says

    March 3, 2015 at 11:43 pm

    Kristi, such sweet words today to remind me that “Trials transform into victory as we draw near to Him”. Love that! Have a great day, Kim Stewart
    http://www.kimstewartinspired.com

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 6, 2015 at 4:17 pm

      Hi Kim. Victory ~ yes, yes, and yes. Thanks for popping in.

      Reply
  5. Katie Reid says

    March 4, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    Great post and good things to remember. I wonder how much we miss out on just because the view from where we are sitting looks dangerous? So glad for His perspective and faithfulness.:) Stopping by from Coffee for Your Heart.

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 6, 2015 at 4:19 pm

      “So glad for His perspective and faithfulness.” Me too, me too. Thanks for enjoying the coffee with me. 🙂

      Reply
  6. kelly balarie says

    March 4, 2015 at 1:43 pm

    Oh how amazing it is that his ways are higher. Thank you for drawing us into this story and teaching our hearts that he is so much more powerful than we give him credit for! Cheering you from the #RaRalinkup; keep going!

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 6, 2015 at 4:20 pm

      So thankful His ways are higher. Thanks for the cheerleading, Kelly. #WriteOn, #JesusGirl. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Laura says

    March 5, 2015 at 7:16 am

    This is a great example of how our minds can trick us. We often view situations so much worse than they actually are. Fear can be so incredibly crippling! Sometimes we just have to jump in and trust the good Father above to take care of the rest.

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 6, 2015 at 4:21 pm

      Fear is a stinker. Thank God for…God. He has our backs. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Abby McDonald says

    March 5, 2015 at 1:21 pm

    I love the imagery you use in this post, Kristi! It really brings it to life. I think that first step is often the hardest. As you stated so beautifully, we don’t see the full picture. But God does. And when we go forward in obedience he gives us glimpses of the bigger picture. Thank you for this. Lovely post.

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 6, 2015 at 4:23 pm

      Agreed…that first step….. Thank You, Lord, that eyes see it all.
      Thanks for the imagery comment, Abby. I’ve been a working girl on that “showing” vs. “telling” thing. 🙂 Thanks, as always, for popping in.

      Reply
  9. Mindy Whipple says

    March 5, 2015 at 4:33 pm

    His ways are higher – yes! I love your analogy – it is one I have experienced both by hitting black ice a number of years ago and spinning in a circle coming to rest in the opposite lane with a semi coming toward me. But God was with me, the driver had seen me spinning and slowed to a crawl giving me time to (by the grace of God only) shift into first gear and get back into my own lane, I have struggled with fear in the area of vehicles but know that God’s ways are higher and the peace only comes when I let go of fear and trust in Him.

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 6, 2015 at 4:24 pm

      Hi Mindy. Ahh, you understand. I’m thanking God for that semi slowing and for you here today.

      Reply
  10. Betsy Cruz says

    March 7, 2015 at 1:05 pm

    Oh, I’ve wasted my time and spun my wheels needlessly worrying about things that never even happen. His ways are definitely higher than ours. Oh yes. This is encouraging to me because we just found out we need $15,000 for our son’s education. (Financial aid packet came in, and we hoped our part would be less.) Have no idea where that will come from, but His ways are higher, and He has the solution!

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 7, 2015 at 8:17 pm

      His ways are higher, most definitely. I’m praying for a God solution to that $15k, Betsy.

      Reply
  11. Kristi Woods says

    March 7, 2015 at 8:16 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  12. Susan Mead says

    March 9, 2015 at 2:59 am

    See what happens when you step away from your small view?
    My view is different.
    My ways are higher.

    AND it was SAFE.

    AMEN! So glad you joined the dance this week..See you Friday

    Reply
  13. Jamie Williams says

    March 10, 2015 at 12:38 am

    Love this kristi,
    such a great reminder. I’m gripped by fear more times then I like admitting. Your words bring strength. His ways are higher. Hugs -jamie

    Reply
  14. Jamie Williams says

    March 10, 2015 at 12:38 am

    Love this kristi,
    such a great reminder. I’m gripped by fear more times then I like admitting. Your words bring strength. His ways are higher. Hugs -jamie

    Reply

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