We’re still in Oregon. Winter and rainy. On the way up, the wind was so strong a tree fell across the road, completely blocking progress in both directions. It had just happened, three cars ahead of us. Everybody stopped and waited. “For what?” I thought, and inched on.
A high-axle 4-wheel drive truck came over from the other side. I thought about trying same, but knew our van would never make it. What about the shoulder? I could conceivably go off the road, around the tree, and even make a path for others. What could I do but try?
But, alas, the mulchy gutter had only looked solid. Half way through we were bottomed out to the frame, the wheels just spinning in the mud.
I was stuck.
“Stuck,” an English word I’m told they’ve adopted in the Papua New Guinea tribe I just visited. They just like the sound, brief and strong, soft at the beginning, hard-edged at the end. So final.
But it seldom is. Almost always it’s only temporary. Something’s been tried, it’s not working, you’re stymied for a moment or an hour, or maybe much longer. But if you’re stuck and you know it, there will be a way.
In the end, at the tree-fallen road, a man appeared with a chain saw. By then there was a long line of cars in both directions. Some people, now out of their cars, gawked. The woodsman would clear a path . . . but, I realized, not for me, still off in the ditch.
Finally I called out, “Hey, come help push us out of this.” And they did, seemingly surprised that they could. A few moments later we drove free, in a very mud-splattered car, waving behind our thanks.
After that we had the whole road to ourselves for many miles.
There have been other times I’ve been stuck, though not that many, in spite of what Anne says.
There was the time, during my high school years, driving alone in my parents’ station wagon, in territory I didn’t belong, and found myself hopelessly bogged down in a sand lot. But it was Easter week, and a whole gang of student carousers saw my plight, gathered around and with a big laugh, lifted that behemoth Plymouth right off the ground and back out to the street. Incredible.
There’s always a solution.
Anne said, “You’ve got more ‘getting stuck’ stories than anyone I know.”
I’m not sure that’s true, but instead of going on the defensive I told her I’d take it as a compliment.
“At least I’m forward moving.”
One can’t always sit and wait, wringing hands and wondering. You try things. You sometimes get stuck, but not always.
And even when you do, there’s usually someone to help.
So move. There’s always a way through.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
11:08 pm
patience patience patience repeat after me… patience
gratitude gratitude gratitude repeat after me… gratitude
without the help of innocent onlookers, you would still be stuck
good story with an interesting “morale” though
saludos y say hi to anne for me
12:37 am
I was praying tonight asking God what to do about so many issues in my life. Too many to list now. Feeling “Stuck.” Couldn’t sleep because of them. So I opened my laptop and there you were…….. encouraging others to keep moving. Thanks, I needed that!
9:21 am
WOW! Is that great advice for us…or anyone! Thanks! We’ll keep moving ahead….it does seem there’s always someone to help us get unstuck.
9:52 am
Lovely and encouraging story. Like Tim says, “don’t look back your not going that way”.
10:55 am
I think, sometimes, “forced pauses” are the only way out.
11:40 am
Good word!
11:41 am
Not necessarily stuck, but waiting. Dear Lord give patience, and I want it RIGHT NOW! :0)
1:44 pm
Great message my friend. You encourage me continually……and thanks
8:27 pm
Great one Hyatt! I like Mike’s words, gratitude and patience!! over and over…. Boy, do I ever get stuck too!—a lot of the time!! Great way to look at getting stuck, all that you said! And that there are always those around us to help us get out! God through them…. Also, I love Anne’s response of “you sure get stuck more than anyone I know!” hahahaha! Love it! Sounds like a comment Kevin would say about me! So funny! Enjoy that rain!! Lived there for 4 years. Understand how rainy and grey it is there.. Best! Lisa
6:54 pm
Hyatt and Anne,
Glad you all got to OR were you can do a lot of work. Don’t like getting stuck and we aren’t very patient. Only with God by our side.
Becky