Blessing in The Blocking

by Leah Hadder

Never did I think God would speak to me through a garbage truck. I was shocked and disgusted, holding my suitcase in one hand as my plastic-wrapped clothes slipped through my grasp in the other. The sun was scorching across the pavement. I was tired, ready to leave, and as some say, “running out of steam.” My car was wedged in between two vehicles. The town I was visiting for a work conference overflowed with tourists. In the midst of abundance, there lacked parking spaces. Ironically, it was just as tough exiting as entering. I stood feeling defeated and

hopeless, looking at the lifesize puzzle piece within the scenario. It was imperative I get to the event early, and with the car issue, my anxiety steadily began to surface.

All it would take was for another car to park near me, and I would be stuck hours from home and on the way to writing a “Sorry, I couldn’t make it, boss” email. It was a goal to avoid writing one at any cost, but it seemed like I was mentally clicking on the new message folder and paying the fee! I thought I was going to run the day instead of it running me. I thought I would defeat the doubts and obliterate the obstacles. Instead, I stoically stood drained and over it. You might as well have swirled the sarcasm and added the cherry on top. I was D.O.N.E.

To make matters worse, along came a garbage truck. It was humongous and headed, as you guessed it, straight for my side of the lot. Not only was I worried I wouldn’t make it out on time, I knew that with the truck taking up the vicinity of the lot, no other cars could enter or leave. As I turned my body forward, making the trek to the lobby for checkout, I decided to re-visit that thought. With the truck being parked as the trash was loaded no other cars could enter or leave, as in, another car couldn’t pull up beside mine due to the occupied space. There was a chance I could check-in and out before I was “trapped!” If I hurried to the lobby, I could race out the door and hop into the driver’s side to back out when the truck finished loading.

Pacing my steps and controlling my winded breathing, I heard God softly speak to my spirit, “Don’t you know I’ll take care of you in the small things?” For years I’ve heard preachers talk about watching for messages and signs in the practical—birds flying, random calls, seeing shapes in clouds, hearing a passed loved one’s voice, reading a favorite scripture in multiple places across town…the list continues. I have witnessed several instances when I knew God was speaking to me. I just needed to pay attention. Be careful to look at the blessing in the blocking. You never know what He’s doing on the other side. I saw the truck as a huge distraction, but it was serving as divine intervention. I loved hearing the phrase “God never sleeps” when I was little, as mind-blowing as it is, because who can really comprehend it? It was time I was reminded. Today, allow yourself to reflect on Psalm 121:4, ESV, “Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”

He wasn’t sleeping when I needed to leave the hotel. He was consistently watching over His child, and He is watching over you too! Consider your hindrance as a helper, your rejection as redirection, and your setback as a setup. He was there for me, and He is here for you now. And yes, I did make it to the event on time. Actually, I was of the first there. Because of the truck visit and the time I had left, I easily geared my car into reverse, turned the wheel, and merrily rolled out of the lot—gleefully and graciously. Decide in the doubt to believe He will straighten the crooked paths (Isaiah 45:2). Breathe, trust, and relax. Better yet, pray for a truck!

About The Author

Leah Hadder is a former internationally recognized pageant queen. Now retired from competition, she shares the Good News as a speaker, writer, and content creator for Pastor Paula White Cain’s Life Network for Women. She is a member of Living Word Church in Cleveland, TN. Contact Leah at www.leahhadder.org.