FOLLOW THAT CADILLAC!

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it." -- Isaiah 30:21

Traffic and I aren't the best of traveling companions. It demands too much of one's precious time. And if you're a hopeless multi-tasker, you're simply left to root memorization CDs in the car or refereeing intense moments of fellowship with your angelic brood in the backseat. Heaven forbid you're one of those cell phone yackers without a bluetooth or speaker capability...but, I'm digressing here and it's best to step away from this soapbox.

Anywho, although Pittsburgh was ranked as one of the best top 10 cities in which to commute, like all the other cities of the world, you're still bound to go bumper to bumper sometime. Some people plan for the daily commute and can take the snail's pace with reasonably great stride. Others, well let's just say road rage is not the answer. And still there are some -- present company included -- who do not plan for anticipated (and for that matter, unanticipated) obstacles. And since I knew that my commute to work consisted of a redirect due to bridge construction and a commute that doubled my 3-mile journey, I was as ready as I'll ever be. Or so I thought as I sat on the detoured bridge the other day puzzled by the more-than 20 minutes it took to cross a 1/4-mile structure. Oh was I in for a shock as I saw barricades strewn across the detoured road and a line of cars leading up "Plan B Street!"

Oh dear, oh dear! This was not good because as I glanced at some of the drivers' faces, it was as plain as the nose on mine that we were in for a bumpy ride! I sensed that this was not the way to go so I maneuvered into the empty lane leading back across the detoured bridge. I thought that even if it took longer to get to work, at least I'll be flowing against traffic. So up Route 65 I went with a relaxed sigh and Toby Mac blasting on the radio. Seven miles later, I reached the bridge north of the under-construction one and I followed the signs leading me across the river to Route 51 southbound and Neville Island. Why would I mention roads of which you might be unfamiliar? Because they're a crucial piece of this story, I suppose.

I was somewhat familiar with Route 51 though I rarely traveled on it. So as I was humming to something else on my radio dial, I couldn't help but glance over to the passenger side of the road and notice that the river's horizon line looked a bit too high for my taste. I figured "what do you expect? You are on an island, for goodness sake!" The thought was then dismissed to the land of oblivious thinking. But as I rounded the bend on the next to final leg of my alternate commute, I was unprepared (really?! you say) for what came next. Yes, you guessed it -- a left lane back up leading all the way down my redirected hill. So I did what any sane person would do -- I PANICKED! No I didn't (honestly). Actually, I asked God what to do and after my famous "help me" prayers, I saw this vehicle break formation to get in the empty right lane. Although I was reluctant, I did hear, "Follow that car!" (it also helped that a sign for a neighborhood hospital was posted on the telephone pole).

So up and away I went leaving those poor souls to "fender" for themselves (oops, bad pun). As we got to the top of yet another T-intersected road, the SUV turned left and I got the notion to turn in the opposite direction. My advice -- resist the notion. Although the road looked somewhat familiar at that point, I was only over the river, but not out of the woods to get to grandmother's house (haha! there goes my brain enjoying amusing mental ramblings). What I meant to say was I wasn't at work yet.

After about 100 yards or so, I turned around, prayed my three-word prayer and followed the road I should have taken. I didn't have the SUV to lead the way, but I chalked it up as a lesson learned and to move on from it. Well, I got to the bottom of that hill and to my utter amazement, there was another long line of cars. This time they were coming from two directions waiting to converge into one infinite mass of rage and steel. My initial thought to following the crowd was "thank you very much, but no thanks!" What seemed to work for me so far? My three-word prayer -- "help me Lord!" Help me to either get a clue or to "buckle up" like the rest of the poor saps!

Again I looked up after that prayer and saw this old Cadillac putter from formation. Another vehicle followed his lead and I followed suit. Let me tell you it was one convoluted ride down one narrow side street after another. But this time, I felt a peace about the trip. There was no second guessing as I signaled when he did and drove where he drove. When we finally exited this roller coaster-like, joy ride, I rolled into another t-intersection that brought a broad smile to my face. I survived the journey! All I had to do was "TURN TO THE RIGHT!" (sorry again; another mental musing moment over Holly Hunter barking that line in "Raising Arizona"). The cool part was that I was only a 1/2 mile from my destination.

As I sat waiting to turn, my heart whispered a three-word prayer for the ones caught in the traffic jam to end all jams -- "Help them Lord!" And though I got to work more than an hour later, I called my boss to inform her of my comical commute. "You need to listen to your radio more," came her supportive response. "Did you know there was major flooding on Route 51 at the detour and on Neville Island?" Whoa! My three-word prayer after that phone call -- "Thank you Lord!"

THE MORAL - We're all bound to travel roads that throw us way off course and it's perfectly understandable to have some initial anxieties mostly because of life's uncertainties. But God never leaves us nor forsakes us. He always has a plan even if it's contrary to our ways, our thoughts on the matter and even our own agendas. You might be surprised to know that He's never thrown off guard. In fact, He is always on guard when it comes to leading us in the way everlasting. If it resembles a blaring answer from the likes of the SUV I followed or a well-worn, albeit convolutingly faithful road such as the one I traveled in pursuit of a '78 Cadillac, God will never, ever "steer" you wrong!