Point of Reference

Hello Hatters,

I have no sense of direction.  From a very early age, I knew that I had trouble getting from one place to another AND getting back to where I started.

I have a distinct memory of a camping trip when I went out by myself and got lost.  I thought I turned around to go back to the campsite and ended up going farther away.  I was found by a family member searching for me.

Other early memories include going to the restroom in a restaurant and then the struggle to return to my family at the our table.  More often than not, it took me a while to figure it out where to go.

I remember driving to my parent’s house in East Texas and I ended up 50 miles north of their home because I wasn’t paying attention to the signs.  Combine my directional disability with distractions and it’s game over.

When I was in Boston years ago, I really appreciated all of this signs to the different subway lines.  I do well if I have signs, maps, and GPS.  I had a marvelous time exploring that historic city.

Hospitals and other campuses provide challenges if their signs and directions are lacking.  I can gain a sense of comfortable navigation if I repeat the path often.

When I first got married to my Country Hubby, he would seriously tell me to go down by the yellow house and turn right.  I would ask him the street name and he would have no idea.  His way of navigating was landmarks in the town.

When I started my last job over 35 years ago, it was a new building and the restroom signage was not on the wall, yet.  Imagine my astonishment as I ended up in the room with sinks and urinals.  I quickly hurried out with embarrassment and relief that no one was in the hall to see me.

It’s so weird that I never told anyone how much I struggled with directions until I started driving.  I don’t know why I didn’t ask for help.

Now, I travel a road that’s under utility construction with consistent lane closures and I couldn’t remember which lane was closed, both going and coming back.  It was frustrating to me that I couldn’t anticipate in which lane to drive.

In my heart, I asked the Lord to help me find a way to settle the struggle on this road of lane closures.  I know it is a small thing, but it’s in a vulnerable place of my being.

I saw Walmart!  It’s a point of reference, a reframe.  Going or returning, stay on the Walmart side when I’m on that street. I don’t have to remember right or left.  I don’t have to remember east or west.  Just drive on the Walmart side.

Simple.  Ask God for help moment by moment.  He knows my name, my talents, and my limitations.  He teaches me more reliance through my weaknesses as I recognize my need for help.

We all wrestle with something.  It can make us feel small.  It can bring a sense of stupidity and frustration.  I don’t understand why I can’t understand spatial reasoning.  I can’t think in terms of north, south, east, or west.  But I’m looking in the wrong direction.  Focus on God.  His faithfulness will get me where I’m supposed to go.

Amen and amen.

MT Penny