“Oooh, like a rock…….oooh, like a rock…” A part of the refrain from the Chevy commercial played in my mind as I followed a Chevy truck when I got lost on my way to The Oratory in Rock Hill, South Carolina. I took the wrong exit from I-77 South and ended up on Celanese Road instead of Cherry Road. Duh??? Why did I leave home without looking for directions on the internet or why didn’t I use our Garmin GPS? I was confident I’d make it on time for this women’s retreat and I relied on my good ol’ dependable memory. However, as I get wiser with age, I realized that part of my brain that deals with directions has not fully developed together with my Math skills.
My saving grace, and truly a grace of God on that fateful Friday evening was this lady whom I met in the gas station. I had to stop and ask for directions and also fill my tank because gasoline was cheaper there by several cents compared to Charlotte prices. I went inside the store and there was this lady who was most probably in her 50’s with long, light brown hair, who volunteered to take the route to Winthrop University because it was very close to The Oratory. She said “I’ll pass by Winthrop although I am not really going in that area. Just follow me.” And so I did.
Crucifix at the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice, in UP Diliman, Philippines
As I followed her, the logo of the Chevy truck hit my eye. It looked like a cross. Suddenly I felt this warm, happy feeling in my heart that there was a purpose in my getting lost. Then a tune played in my head. Like a rock, Oh like a rock. And I started laughing inside my heart. My inner child was singing. To admit you the truth, I am far from the actual description in that refrain. I am not “strong as I could be” nor could I say that “nothin’ ever got to me.” Instead, I have God as my anchor, my rock. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (Psalm 18:2). Even though we are lost (and literally in this case), I believe we will be able to find our way through the Lord’s help. Immediately thereafter, I was also reminded of the street where my family and I live. Rockway Drive. Like a rock, Oh like a rock. A house to me symbolizes foundation. This is your shelter, so it has to be strong so that it can withstand the test of time and natural calamities. At the same time, the physical house shields the most precious treasure of all—the temple of the Holy Spirit that is, our very own selves, our very own souls. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Matthew 16:18) Peter, the sinner, the one who denied Jesus three times was transformed by Christ and became the rock— the first pope of the Catholic Church. The leader. The defender of the faith. Everyday, I work on building my house on a sure foundation— Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). He will lead us to the right path in life as He was leading me at that moment on the way to The Oratory.
Our house on Rockway Dr. on a snowy day.
As I was following the truck closely, I was also looking at my surroundings. Like a rock, Oh like a rock. Then I started recognizing these wide buildings and the expansive lawns. “I am here.” I thought to myself. “What a God sent this lady was to get out of her way just to lead me here. Now, if I can only figure out where to turn.” I listened to my inner voice and felt that it was fine to make a left turn and so I did. I separated from the lady truck driver. I just drove on and on and tried to recognize the street names. I read Sumter on one of the intersections and felt it rang a bell. At the same time, I was also praying “Lord, please let me not get lost because pretty soon it will get dark.” It was around 7:30 p.m. at that time and it was pretty cloudy. “If you don’t want me to attend the retreat, then, I’ll just go home. But why did you make me come here?” I asked the Lord. I continued driving straight ahead and at the end of the street I saw Charlotte Ave. I felt a ray of sunshine burst in my heart. I made a right. A few meters away, I spotted The Oratory on my left. Praise God!
When I got to the retreat, everyone was already there. I took my seat on the only available chair on the oval-shaped seating arrangement. I told them the story about my being lost and being helped by this wonderful woman who is aka “angel” because she drove me to Winthrop University, even if she didn’t have to. Of course, my story would not be complete without me singing the phrase Like a rock, Oh like a rock. Suddenly, peals of laughter permeated the quiet atmosphere of our room. During our break, a newfound friend Elizabeth told me. “You were lost and now you are found. You have an amazing story.”
I thank God I made it home safely that night although I admit I was a little scared driving in the freeway at 10:00 p.m. but I know He’d protect me and keep me safe. For His Word says, Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock (Isaiah 26:4). Like a rock, Oh like a rock.
Chevy logo: photo credit: <a href=”https://www.flickr.com/photos/gmanviz/8712372202/”>GmanViz</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a
