DIRECTIONS & ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE

No four lefts will get you back to where you started in this town. This city with its three rivers merging at a point, its sports teams on a roll and its overabundance of communities has a lot going for it. However, giving directions is not one of those things. I tried with all my might to help a fellow co-worker from getting “lost in space” Pittsburgh style. Though she had lived here most of her life, she could still get lost traveling outside her comfort zone. The other day when it took her more than two hours to reach my office what should have taken no more than a half hour, all I could internally muse was “stay out there for another hour, and you’d be eligible for a Gilligan’s Island tour package.”

My intent was not to make light sport of her predicament. I don’t like getting lost myself, but then it dawned on me. If she had clearer directions, maybe that would have helped her. No more “well, you go dahn there n’at ‘bout a mile and go left” (in the best Pittsburghese I could muster). Nope, I was not gonna do that to her. I assessed her distress and ended up drawing out a map with details and landmarks to help her navigate back home. She was reluctant at first, because she wasn’t use to anyone giving her that much information or even taking her angst seriously. To her “go left” could mean a number of things. And when you’re the one behind the wheel at a 5-way intersection branching off into another 5-way intersection, there’s just no time for interpretation. I am happy to report that with the directions I gave her, she reached her destination safe and sound. Her concerns were validated and her issues were properly addressed. Now, if only PennDOT would work on putting up some street signs identifying those four lefts, we’d all be the better for it, don’t you think?!

The moral – Life can take you to some interesting destinations. If you’re not sure of where you’re going, don’t hesitate in asking God for directions. He knows the way and He knows just how to get you from point A to point B with the least amount of worry. He does so through prayer and supplication as our map. And believe me, you’ll end up being very thankful for “roadside assistance.”