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The Detour We Didn’t Plan
Photo by Jen Wewers on Unsplash
Traveling through Kansas reveals a landscape of striking contrasts. The rolling hills of the east gradually flatten into wide-open farmlands in the west. But as beautiful as the scenery was, the weather wasn’t so kind.
We had planned to boondock in western Kansas, but when temperatures dropped below freezing and the wind howled, our plans fell apart.
Instead, we decided to head south. We found refuge at a Loves truck stop in Dalhart, Texas. It wasn’t what we’d envisioned, but it turned into a reminder of a powerful truth:
We had planned to boondock in western Kansas, but when temperatures dropped below freezing and the wind howled, our plans fell apart.
Instead, we decided to head south. We found refuge at a Loves truck stop in Dalhart, Texas. It wasn’t what we’d envisioned, but it turned into a reminder of a powerful truth:
Sometimes, God's plans are different, but they're always better.
Lessons from the Unpredictable
James 4:13-15 reminds us that life is unpredictable. We can make all the plans we want, but we can't predict tomorrow. When our own plans falter, God is there, waiting for us to trust His will.
Being in an unfamiliar place, without knowing anyone, facing freezing cold temperatures and a lack of electricity or water—while caring for children—can be frightening.
Yet we were reminded of the peace that comes with surrender, and the comfort that comes when we trust God to provide.
"We are but children, crying in the night; our Father hears, and he comes in his good time to comfort us." -Charles Spurgeon
And that night, God’s comfort came in surprising forms: the warmth of our heater, the hum of nearby diesel engines, and the kindness of a stranger who helped us navigate the Loves app.
For fellow RVers (or dreamers), detours like these are part of the journey. Here are some lessons we’ve learned:
Prepare for Cold Weather: Make sure your propane and tanks are ready, especially when traveling in colder regions.
Being in an unfamiliar place, without knowing anyone, facing freezing cold temperatures and a lack of electricity or water—while caring for children—can be frightening.
Yet we were reminded of the peace that comes with surrender, and the comfort that comes when we trust God to provide.
Comfort in the Unexpected
Photo by Katrina Berban on Unsplash
"We are but children, crying in the night; our Father hears, and he comes in his good time to comfort us." -Charles Spurgeon
And that night, God’s comfort came in surprising forms: the warmth of our heater, the hum of nearby diesel engines, and the kindness of a stranger who helped us navigate the Loves app.
Practical Tips for RV Life
For fellow RVers (or dreamers), detours like these are part of the journey. Here are some lessons we’ve learned:
Prepare for Cold Weather: Make sure your propane and tanks are ready, especially when traveling in colder regions.
Maintain Gratitude: Whether it’s a quiet spot or a bustling truck stop, there’s always something to be thankful for.
Trusting God Through the Detours
As we continue on our journey, we realize how often God uses detours to teach us about Himself.
“Trust God and do the next thing.”-Oswald Chambers
“Trust God and do the next thing.”-Oswald Chambers
That night, the “next thing” was simply finding a safe place to rest.
Countless times on the road, the next thing has led us to unexpected blessings—whether through meaningful conversations, shared meals, or new opportunities that have enriched our journey and allowed us to bless others in return.
“God is not after our success; He is after our surrender.”-Dan Baumann
“God is not after our success; He is after our surrender.”-Dan Baumann
We don’t need to know every twist and turn—God’s plans are always better.
RV life requires faith in so many ways. It requires flexibility, trust, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected.
Proverbs 16:9 sums it up beautifully:
The Faith to Embrace the Unknown
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
RV life requires faith in so many ways. It requires flexibility, trust, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected.
Proverbs 16:9 sums it up beautifully:
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
That night at the truck stop wasn’t what we’d planned, but it turned out to be exactly what we needed.
The warmth of our RV, the safety of the Loves lot, and even the soft glow of truck lights reminded us that God provides, even when the journey looks different than we expected.
We never imagined we’d sell everything, leave behind our income security, and embark on a life of full-time RVing as a family...
But those three years on the road reshaped us in ways we never thought possible, teaching us more than we ever could have learned from staying comfortable.
We never pictured ourselves leaving California for a tiny town in Indiana we’d never heard of...
But this unexpected change has been a blessing beyond measure, nurturing our faith and relationships in ways only God could orchestrate.
God has shown me the beauty of living each moment fully with Him. He’s opened doors of opportunity for our family, far beyond what we could have planned on our own.
If we had stayed in our comfort zones, we’d have missed it all.
I look back now, and I wouldn’t trade a single moment of those years for anything.
That night at the truck stop wasn’t what we’d planned, but it turned out to be exactly what we needed.
The warmth of our RV, the safety of the Loves lot, and even the soft glow of truck lights reminded us that God provides, even when the journey looks different than we expected.
The Journey That Changed Us
We never imagined we’d sell everything, leave behind our income security, and embark on a life of full-time RVing as a family...
But those three years on the road reshaped us in ways we never thought possible, teaching us more than we ever could have learned from staying comfortable.
We never pictured ourselves leaving California for a tiny town in Indiana we’d never heard of...
But this unexpected change has been a blessing beyond measure, nurturing our faith and relationships in ways only God could orchestrate.
God has shown me the beauty of living each moment fully with Him. He’s opened doors of opportunity for our family, far beyond what we could have planned on our own.
If we had stayed in our comfort zones, we’d have missed it all.
I look back now, and I wouldn’t trade a single moment of those years for anything.
Stepping into the Unknown with a Known God
Photo by Mary Hammel on Unsplash
If you're on the fence, wondering if you can trust God with your own journey, I urge you to take that leap.
When you step into the unknown with Him, you open yourself up to a life far more meaningful and extraordinary than anything you can imagine.
When you step into the unknown with Him, you open yourself up to a life far more meaningful and extraordinary than anything you can imagine.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the journeys that stretch us, for the moments of uncertainty where we can trust in Your provision. Help us to embrace each step, knowing You are with us, guiding us toward the blessings we can’t yet see. May we surrender our plans to You, trusting that Your way is always better.
In Jesus name, Amen.
- I would love to hear your story in the comments below. Let’s encourage one another to embrace the twists and turns of the road with faith and gratitude.
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