The Way

The Way

Jesus [said], “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

Atlanta’s traffic was heavy. Darkness threatened to overcome daylight. Forty-five minutes from home, I had just dropped off my daughter at a friend’s house.

Jill (the name I had given my GPS) had guided me to my unknown destination; I assumed she would lead me back home. But shortly after my daughter Audri joined her friends, Jill malfunctioned. I was lost!

I was new to the Atlanta area, so Jill was more than my best friend; she was my only friend. Her voice had soothed my nerves as she guided me from one adventure to another, until that night.

I phoned my husband, who was away on a business trip. His advice was, “I noticed Wal-Mart had navigational systems on sale when I was there. Buy another one.”

Okay, but where was a Wal-Mart? Tears raced down my cheeks.

An hour later I stood in the checkout line, embracing my new best friend, Jill Junior.

The next day Audri exchanged text messages with her older sister:

“Did Mom tell you Jill died?”

“Jill, the car helper?”

“Yes! What other Jill do you know?”

“None, but I wanted to make sure we weren’t talking about a soul.”

“She was Mom’s best friend. Be considerate. They spent a lot of time together.”

“True, but replaceable. She can buy another one.”

“She already has!”

“Ha ha.”

“Jill was dead less than two hours.”

“No way! That’s hilarious.”

“Yep, less than two hours and Mom bought Jill Junior.”

“J. J.”

“Love it!”

—Sue Ferguson

Father, I am thankful you never fail. I trust you, I depend on you, and I delight in your companionship. Thank you for showing me the way. Amen.