Are there any words or phrases that begin to get under your skin after multitudinous repetition? Well, let me tell you my most recent story.

Pat and I went to northern Georgia to look at a piece of property that our builder found for us. I dubbed it “The Promised Land” because it seemed to fulfill our dreams for the site for our new home. There are lots and lots of hardwood trees, beautiful views, nice neighbors, and located on a country cul-de-sac.

We’d been given good directions, but for some reason, I seemed to go right past every single turn in the road. I would hear, “Turn around, Jerry”. This didn’t happen just once, but over and over again. It didn’t happen the first trip from Kathi and William’s “Mansion on the Hilltop”, but every single day….ALL DAY! Now, granted, the people who said this to me had kindness dripping from their tongue, spoke only in a sweet tone of voice and meant their advice only for my good!

One would think that after making all kinds of wrong turns, shooting past the proper turn, I would have had the route imprinted in my brain like a brand on a steer. But, oh, NO, I just kept messing up and hearing that phrase, “Turn around, Jerry”. The second day, we took Kathi and William with us to take a peek a boo. Our good friends, Connie and Charlie, joined us. They got there on the basis of MY directions, but could I get there first try? NOOOOOOOO! “Turn around, Jerry”, became the mantra of my existence.

I’m not real sure I could go directly to The Promised Land were we going up there today. No confidence, I guess. (g) I’m not sure what the solution is. After all, when one has a decent set of directions and still gets preoccupied, one deserves to hear that grating phrase, “Turn around, Jerry!”

How often does God have to speak that phrase to us? “Turn around, _____!” What’s the problem? After all, we have His Word, the best road map ever.

What does God say to you through this writing? Please use the “Leave a Reply” box below and share. I’ll get back to you shortly. Also, if you have a prayer request, please feel free to send it to me. I pray a lot better than I follow directions! (g)

SOME SELECTED RESPONSES TO “THE PROMISED LAND”

– First, I’d like to say God bless your daughter-in-law and we’re sending up prayers for a speedy recovery for her. Then I’d like to tell you how happy I am that you found such a wonderful builder who found your Promised Land to build on! It also sounds like you are going to be blessed with super new neighbors. I couldn’t be happier for ya. You waited on the Lord and He delivered in His time.

P.S. I absolutely LOVE that Willie Nelson CD.

– The house with the gate only is pretty funny. Apparently they just wanted the gate part!! It’s strictly for looks!! 🙂 See, it takes all kinds!

-So…Promised Land on earth and then Promised Land in Heaven. You will have the best of it all. Glad things have worked out.

– I love the gate and the area. The last house we moved out of had a wrought iron spiral staircase. I really like wrought iron. We are decorating our bedroom with furniture in wrought iron to take the place of the stairs we had to leave behind.

– This is beautiful, Jerry. Got your message on my answering machine. Thank you for all the calls and prayers. I am doing well!! I was at our Bible Study when you called. H_____ had to work. Just know that you and Pat and all are in our prayers as is your daughter in law. That was good news to hear that she will be okay. PTL God is so good.

– The promised land looks beautiful. Didn’t get the Michigan job. God faithfully reminded me Sunday that He is in charge, especially that it is His will not mine. So, I’m back to praying for His will. I had been praying hard for a job, and I still want one, but more importantly I want what God has for me because He has my best interests in mind.

– Oh, good. It sounds like you met someone you can trust. God must have sent you to him, that’s for sure.

– Oh, I adore the name of your land, The Promised Land. You must put this above your gate. 🙂 Also, you must go and meet the person/people who live in that gated home, too. That sure was neat ….. no one has an original idea, do we?

– Neato, Jerry. I’m trying to think of a good pun regarding the gate but I can’t. But Willie Nelson? The guy who sang about all the women he loved before? I guess it shows how God uses the worldly people to achieve his purposes. Never knew he sang such a song, never heard of this song.

Glad to hear how God is working. It gives me courage to believe God for the impossible. If I didn’t have Him, Jerry, I would have committed suicide by now. You’re having your breakthrough and now I believe my breakthrough to follow.

Thanks, buddy, excellent news and a great testimony.

– I just read this e-mail and liked the looks of the gate and also the “Promised Land”. I do so hope and pray that all goes well and that Pat can regain her health and that the builder does a quick job.

We just returned today about 4 PM from l0 days in Mississippi where we spent a day with our 21 year old granddaughter and her hubby and our darling l0 mo. old great grandson.

Thanks for the phone call, Jerry. Just sorry that we were not here to talk to you, but will keep you in prayer and hope your daughter-in-law does well. Praying for her, also.

– God bless you and Pat. I am so happy that your new home will be built on such beautiful property. I am now praying that everything from the floor plans to construction to electricity, etc. all proceed on time and as planned. Please supply plenty of pictures of the whole process. I am so excited!

Also, can you ask Pat what colors she is choosing (and for what room)? I guess you can say that I should have been an architect or an interior designer. My son got me cable so that I can watch all those design shows. What he doesn’t realize is that I am keeping a list of all the projects that I want to tackle once God blesses me with my own home and his weekends might not belong to him for at least a year.

Prayer Request: My son, James, is desperately in need of a job. He lives in the Chicago land area. Would you pray that he be shown the job that is his? He is the father of two and desperately wants to provide for his children.