God Given Daisies             — by Carole Devecka

TUNED IN

After just driving 4,000 miles and attending a wedding and a funeral all in the last eleven days I wondered how tuned in we are to people and our surroundings.

The tape deck in my ten year old car isn't working since my last long trip. So, to be entertained on my long drive I had to resort to trying to get a clear station on the radio. This was a challenge as I drove from New Jersey through ten states to reach Florida.

Once in awhile I got clear reception and then it would disappear in five or ten minutes.  As I drove long stretches at a time I wondered if we are like the radio stations?  Can we be tuned in? Can we be clearer in our intentions? Are we tuned in to people in our lives? Or, are we just filled with static?

My 90 year old mother was reluctant to go on this long journey. But, she did.  Now she says "She wouldn't have missed it for the world"

Our journey was filled with many happy and sad moments, and some just filled with surprises.

I have trouble seeing at night and my new glasses didn't help when the flashing of construction lights on barrels filled my field of vision. So, as soon as I could, I got off the main road and traveled the darkened roads of a small town.

There was sure to be a main section in town where I could ask someone if there was a small hotel or motel that we could stay in for the night. But I couldn't find a main section in town. I couldn't even find an area where they had street lights. But, I did find something special.

I found a teenager working on his car in his garage. I asked him for directions to the nearest hotel or motel. He sounded knowledgeable about the area and gave me the directions with confidence and then made me repeat them back to him, which I did with less confidence. But, I did.

I thanked him and I pulled out of his driveway and left following the directions he gave me.

Just about five minutes later I faced a dirt road. Not knowing which way I should go, I stopped and reviewed the directions he gave me over in my head. I followed what he said, but now what should I do?

In a moment there was a car behind me with a very loud muffler. I turned to ask for directions and it was the same teenager!  He told us, "I thought about the directions I gave you, and I thought about this road and that you might not take it or you would get lost, so I decided to take you directly to an area where you could pick where to stay for the night. Just follow me."  And on blind trust, I did.

This sweet country teen took us to a populated area with a choice of places to stay. He drove twenty minutes completely out of his way to help two elderly ladies.

When I offered him money for gas and his time he refused to take it. When I said "If you didn't help me find my way they would have found two old ladies haunting the town on Halloween" he laughed.  Then I said "If you don't need it for gas money use it to fix your muffler so you don't wake the neighbors when you leave your home late at night helping someone who is lost.” He finally took the money.

I told him he was an angel and a blessing and that good things were going to appear in his life. He just smiled and shook his head like he knew what I said was true.

The next ten days where filled with all kinds of emotions and surprises.

Long relationships had chances to rekindle and some were healed of bitterness. All with no words spoken. Just a look, a touch, a knowing in their spirits, that all was well. . .

A tuning in of sorts. . .

Fine tuning. . .

No static, just the soothing emotions of the Spirit and God's grace.

Are you tuned in?

— © Carole Devecka, God Given Daisies

For more incredible stories visit: http://www.sfpnn.com/carole_devecka.htm

E-mail Carole