I have learned two very important things when shopping with my wife.  First, if we are shopping in Sioux Falls, let her drive.  She lived in Sioux Falls for seven years and knows the back roads.  She also has a system and schedule to maximize our time there.  But most importantly, I do not know how to drive in Sioux Falls; I am too much of a small town driver…to conservative.  So if I want to keep her happy, let her drive.  The second thing I have learned is that I do not have to go into every store we stop at.  Stores like Hallmark, Linens-n-Things, Hobby Lobby and the like are stores that do not interest me.  If I go in I end up getting bored and maybe a little cranky.  Eventually my wife will say, "Alright, we can go.  You’re getting crabby".  Now she is not having fun and then I feel bad.  So here’s what I do.  My wife drives (in Sioux Falls) and I hold the list.  When we get to a store that does not interest me (like the ones named above) I stay in the car and read, people watch or make phone calls.  Stores like Wal-Mart, Kohl’s and (or course) Best Buy, I go in.  This way Connie can shop as much as she wants and we both stay happy.  The day is much more enjoyable for both of us and we don’t end up driving home wishing the other person was riding in the trunk. 

I am not sure why it took me so long to figure this out.  It almost seems like common sense.  I mean, we employ this very tactic in our lives all the time, especially when it comes to God.  God leads us places and we decided whether we want to "go in".  We are concerned with our own interests and figure that God only makes suggestions in our lives, not commands.  We see the path that God is leading us on. It looks dark and difficult so we either grab the wheel from God or jump ship.  We say "See you later.  Pick me up when you are coming back this way." We don’t trust God because we are so self-centered.  Isaiah 55:8-12 says "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. " 

God’s ways are higher than ours and far beyond us.  God knows what is best.  But more importantly, when God’s Word goes out, it will accomplish what it set out to do.  God’s Word will not fail.  Don’t resist God’s guidance.  We may not like where God leads sometimes. But God does know what he is doing and God will not forsake you.  So next time, "go in" and hold God’s hand.  Trust God’s guidance and wisdom.  You just might be surprised in what God "bought" for you. (In case you don’t know, God "bought" everlasting life FOR YOU though Jesus Christ our Lord.)  Amen.