Daily Guideposts 2016: 14-Day Reading PlanSample

I turned my pickup down Lou’s driveway. The heavy roll of fencing wire, which was in back, slammed the tailgate. God, that’s how I feel. Like I’ve got a two-ton weight rolling around inside of me.

The last few days my thoughts had been consumed by a friend whose feelings I’d accidentally hurt. I pulled up to the blue metal gate, stopped, and looked over at Lou. “Where do you want it?”

He pointed and said, “Let me open the gate.”

I hopped out and lowered the tailgate. What was I thinking? How are we going to get this out? It took a forklift to load it into my truck. If we roll it, it could easily fall on our feet and smash our toes. Shaking my head, I climbed back into the truck.

After driving through the gate, I backed up toward the unloading spot. Then I had a crazy thought. I gunned the accelerator and raced toward it. Lou’s eyes widened. Suddenly, I slammed on the brakes. The momentum launched the wire out of the truck and into the air. It rolled across the ground, stopping at the exact spot where we needed to unload it. Lou burst out laughing. “Wow, that was a great trick!”

I chuckled and said, “That’s how cowgirls handle heavy weights—dump them quickly.” As I said it, I felt in my spirit, That’s what I need to do with my broken friendship.

Over the next couple of days, I wrestled to turn loose the burden. When I finally did, I prayed, “God, right now I choose to give the weight of it to You. Please mend my friendship.” Miraculously, my friend called and asked if I’d like to go on a hike. Gradually, God helped us piece our friendship back together.

Lord, when I have a problem, remind me how cowgirls handle a heavy weight: by launching it to You. Amen.

—Rebecca Ondov

Digging Deeper: 1 Peter 5:7