Chasing Fed-Ex 

Sometimes I read symbolism into daily circumstances in my search for the meaning of events in my life. Yes, kinda weird, I know.

We’ve all heard about people who always find a parking spot close to the entrance in a crowded mall lot simply because they think they will.  Those who favor this theory say that their belief doesn’t create the spot, but it does heighten their awareness of looking for the clues—for example, red taillights indicating someone backing out.

This leads me to my Chasing the Fed Ex truck.

I had to return some documents that required my signature to my financial planner in Colorado.

He provided a self-addressed and postage paid Fed-ex envelope for me to use. I told him I would send them Friday and he could expect them on Monday. Come Friday, I discovered that finding a Fed-ex drop off was not as easy as it had been when I lived in Ahwatukee and merely zipped down Ray Road to the Fed Ex center.

When I googled the nearest drop box to my new home in Sun Lakes, I found it was about 10 miles away.  Not a big deal but I had to work that jaunt around other activities I had already planned for the day.  I had a Bible Study at 1 pm and decided to make the drop afterwards as the home where we had the study was at least one mile closer to the drop.

Then I kept thinking about how constantly I see the FedEx truck in this retirement community of 5000 homes making deliveries. Wouldn’t it be nice, I thought, if I ran across one this day and could hand him my package? I even said a little prayer or sorts.

As I was waiting for a red light to turn green at a busy intersection, sure enough, I saw a small Fed-Ex van up ahead across the street headed south—not the direction I was going. So instead of making a left turn to go East, I went straight when the light turned green.  I could still see the van. However, it went past the entrance to  the country club and golf course and I had to slow down in case golf carts were crossing (hundreds of those in Sun Lakes-they frown on us hitting one).  I lost sight of the van and soon came to a T in the road. Had the van made a left or right turn? I turned right and drove for about a mile. No van and lots of little side streets it could have turned into.

I turned around and went  the other way past the T  for several miles through a residential area, also with many side streets. No van. Now I needed to abandon this project or I would be late for Bible Study which is small group around a table --can’t slip into a back row unnoticed. 

I wasn’t sure how to get back to the main road without backtracking but saw a man in one of those little golf carts who kindly pointed me in the right direction. North and East.  I got back on track, knowing I would be a few minutes late and feeling foolish for pursuing the van. I mean so what if I had to drive 10 miles down the road? Not a big deal.

Just as I was pulling into the gated entrance to the neighborhood where Bible study was, when what to my wondering eyes should appear? Just  ahead of me was a Fed Ex Van!  We both had to slow down and stop in line to get past the gate house which raised the gate for entry. I had to get to the driver before he went thru the gate or I would surely lose him as I had lost the other one.

So as he was slowing to get in line, I pulled up beside him, almost cutting him off as if I rudely wanted to get ahead of him.  I got so close to his side of the van he couldn’t help but notice me. I lowered my window and waved my package, asking if he would wait for me after he went thru the gate. He did and when I pulled up behind, he even jumped out and took the package from me.

I thought, Wow, God does answer prayers. Even beyond my expectations.  I didn’t even have to get out of my car. 

Of course, I was a little late to the study but when I explained why and tied it to my belief that sometimes God answers even our simplest prayers if only we ask, they were sympathetic. 

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 

  Matthew 7: 7 

I know this prayer request may seem petty when people are praying for healing from cancers and important life issues, but still it was an evidence of God in my life. And here comes the symbolism.

I have been chasing many things in my 78 years. Sometimes like the first fed-ex van, I’ve seen something I really wanted to capture, only to lose sight of it or get lost in the pursuit by going down the wrong road.  Yes, many detours and wrong roads.

Just recently I  began my  earnest search for God, wanting so much to have a stronger faith and trusting him to show me the way.  One of the first verses I memorized and say to myself often.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  Proverbs. 3: 5 - 6

And a little more  symbolism? The van appeared at the gate to the Bible Study. It was clearly a message that I am on the right road as I seek God’s wisdom and direction through the study of his word.

One ironic note. As if God wanted to put an exclamation point on my prayer, the very next day a Fed-Ex truck made a delivery to my door.  J  Twice blessed or Is there a scripture about patience?