And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10 (NIV)
On Day Three, when we pulled our second tray from the kiln and put our third tray in to fuse, we realized we needed more supplies. While we had enough glass because we traded colors and pieces with each other, our many beautiful creations needed finishing. Although we each made a dish or plate and other things like sun catchers and coasters, much of what we made were jewelry items. I brought some pendant findings and a few earring backs, but we needed ribbon, wire and glue to complete our projects. From Brasstown, the nearest Wal-Mart was thirty minutes to the north in Murphy. After dinner, we decided to go shopping. Julie drove and Patty took the front passenger’s seat leaving me to ride in the back of the van. That suited me fine because from my position, I could see the GPS screen. I love maps. I can sit down and read a map like some people read a novel. Would it be too much information to tell you that I keep an atlas in my bathroom? I love traveling because I have an excuse to carry a map. Prior to this trip, I never saw a GPS and the technology was new to me. The fact that it was a moving map was fascinating. Julie disengaged it from its carrier so that I could hold it in my hand. As we went down the road, I never took my eyes off the screen, yet I could proclaim, “There’s a McDonalds. We are going beside the river.” My friends thought I was very funny. “Just look out the window and you will see it for real,” they laughed. The first time it “spoke” to us, “Turn left 400 yards,” I jumped. Holding the GPS in front of my mouth, I screamed into it, “What?” By that time, my friend’s were practically hysterical at my silly, but earnest behavior. I don’t know why I replied to it; I guess I thought it could hear me. We programmed it for Murphy, but the Wal-Mart was outside of the downtown area so when we wanted to turn right towards the Wal-Mart, the GPS insisted that we should go straight into the business district. “Make a U-Turn at 300 yards,” it demanded. We saw the lights of Wal-Mart so knew we didn’t need to turn around. I kept babbling back at it, but it was not listening. Finally, Patty took my new toy away from me and turned it off. It made me think how often God tries to tell me something, but either I ignore what He is saying to me or I keep talking so loud, I can’t hear Him speak. I have loved this story of Samuel since I was a little girl. Sometimes, when I ask God for directions, I must remind myself to stop and listen. “Speak, Lord, Your Servant heareth.” It won’t do any good to ask for help, if I won’t listen for the answer!
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