The Epistles

A story is told of a pastor and his nuclear family that embarked on a three-day journey to visit a family member. A journey that turned out to open the eye of the father in recognition of his error. On a cold, dark night, the father set off with his wife and two children to the Northern region of the country. He cared about the safety of his family so he decided to drive at a slower pace which was going to take him three days and nights taking into consideration the stopovers and rest times.

The younger of the two children who was only four years old was afraid of the dark since she had never travelled after 6pm. She felt so uncomfortable that she could barely blink. Two hours into their journey, the little girl decided to initiate a conversation with daddy to put her mind at ease. So she began; “Daddy, are you asleep?” Her father surprised she was still awake while all the others were far in dream land replied, “no baby girl, daddy can’t sleep while driving.”

The little girl then proceeded to ask more questions and the father kept the conversation alive.

Daughter: “Daddy, where are we going?”

Father: “To your uncle’s house in the North”.

Daughter: “Have you gone there before?” She inquired.

Father: “No darling. But we will follow the map so we will be safe.” He assured.

Daughter: “What is a map, daddy?” She wondered.

Father: “It is a tool that helps you to find places”, the father replied

Daughter: “Daddy, can you use a map?”

Father: “Yes darling. Daddy can, so we will get there safely.” Again, he assured her

Daughter: “Daddy, where will we eat when we are hungry on the road?”

Father: “There are restaurants on the road, baby.”

Daughter: “Do you know them?”

Father: “No hunnie, but with the map, we can find them.”

The little girl slept right after the conversation. The next night came when after a short rest, they had to continue their journey. When the darkness became thicker, the little girl started asking the questions all over again.

Daughter: “Daddy, are you asleep?”

Father: “No hunnie.”

Daughter: “Daddy, where are we going?”

Father: “To your uncle’s house.”

Daughter: “Daddy, do you know the place?”

Father: “No baby, but we have a map.”

Daughter: “What is a map, daddy?”

Father: “It will help us find uncle”

Daughter: “Daddy, can you use a map?”

Father: “Yes dear.”

Daughter: “Daddy, will we find another place to eat and sleep?”

Father: “There are more restaurants on the road, baby.”

Daughter: “Do you know them?”

Father: “No hunnie, but with the map, we can find them.”

This time they continued their chat for a long while before she slept. Now, on the third day, there was total silence in the car. The father wondered if his daughter was asleep already. To his amazement when he peeped through the rear view mirror, she was staring back at him. “Baby girl, you are quiet today. Is there a problem?” She replied “no daddy”. So the father began to ask the questions today.

Father: “Do you know where we are going?”

Daughter: “To uncle’s house in the North.”

Father: “Wow. Nice! Do you know how we are going to get there?”

Daughter: “No daddy.”

Father: “Then why aren’t you asking anymore sweety?”

Daughter: “Because daddy is driving.”

Because daddy is driving? This response got the father silent. He instantly realized the main point he had been missing in life’s journey. He had never thought of this. His daughter had opened his eyes and he could see clearly now. We keep asking questions and battling with fears day and night forgetting the main point that our Divine Shepherd, God is the one in control. Our Father is the one driving.

We may not know the destination, we may not know the way or even how to read the map, but the little girl pointed out the most important thing; “daddy is driving.” In that, she felt secured, guided, protected and she knew that daddy was taking her to the right destination and also, he was going to provide all her needs for food and rest.

Whatever your behaviour or reaction is in this life’s journey, remember the most important thing, “God is in control.” Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”