Last Sunday afternoon Miranda and I loaded up the church van with seven of our young people and headed to Freed-Hardeman University for HORIZONS 2011. A couple of hours into our five hour trip, somewhere around mile marker 251, the church van decided it would completely shut down and refused to go any farther. For the next two hours, our group stood on the side of Interstate 40 and waited for help. Finally, a friend of mine arranged for some of his family to come and pick us up and take us to their church building to wait until brother Tony Williams could get there with the other church van. Around 5:45 p.m., about the time we should have been rolling into Henderson, we were finally back on the interstate headed west for FHU. At 10:00 p.m. eastern standard time, we arrived on the campus of Freed-Hardman University. We were only four hours behind our estimated arrival time.

I tell you all this not to complain, but rather to brag on our young people. Not once, I repeat, not once, did any one of our young people ever complain about what had happened. Even while standing on the side of Interstate 40 in 99 degree heat, we never heard one negative comment. As I reflect on our adventure to HORIZONS 2011, I am reminded of the words of the apostle Paul when he said, “Do all things without grumbling or complaining that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:14-15).

Our trip to HORIZONS last Sunday was nothing like any of us expected. We didn’t plan on our van breaking down, standing in the sun for 2 hours, or missing the Sunday night activities at HORIZONS. However, everyone had a great attitude and despite what happened on Sunday, it was a fun trip. In fact, we all agreed our trip last Sunday was the best trip any of us have ever had in a church van. It was an experience that none of us will ever forget.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

On I-40 where the church van broke down. Take a close look at the sign in the background!