Mark Atteberry - Walking with God on the Road You Never Wanted to Travel

On the day I finished this manuscript, Mary had her left leg amputated. It was her twelfth major surgery in the last eight years. As her pastor, Ive spent countless hours visiting her in various hospitals, nursing homes, and rehab centers and have never heard her utter a word of complaint. Her unshakable faith was a constant source of inspiration to me during the year I spent writing this book. Because of her, no one will ever be able to say the strategies presented here are too difficult to accomplish. Mary mastered them all.

In this ebook edition, please use your devices note-taking function to record your thoughts wherever you see the bracketed instructions [Your Notes] or [Your Response Here]. Use your devices highlighting function to record your response whenever you are asked to checkmark, circle, underline, or otherwise indicate your answer(s).

Strategy #1
Understand How You Wound Up in the Wilderness

Strategy #2
Commit to Strict Obedience

Strategy #3
Travel with a Friend

Strategy #4
Stay Positive

Strategy #5
Step over the Dead and Keep Going

Strategy #6
Trust God to Meet Your Needs

Strategy #7
Go at Gods Pace

Strategy #8
Enjoy Every Oasis

Strategy #9
Expect Detours

Strategy #10
Worship on the Way

Strategy #11
Keep Your Dreams Alive

Strategy #12
When You Come to the Jordan, Cross It

Strategy #13
Turn Your Trip into a Testimony

A nna Hartman walked into our church every Sunday with her husband and two small boys, passing out kisses and hugs like Christmas candy. It didnt matter if she knew you or not. If you were in her path, you got one or the other. Or both. And there was nothing fake about it. Anna was the genuine article: a committed, joy-filled, low-maintenance Christian.

One day her doctor told her she needed a tonsillectomy. He assured her it was nothing to worry aboutjust a couple of little snips. Shed be in the hospital overnight and then go home and eat ice cream for a day or two. Her plan was to lay in a supply of Ben & Jerrys and enjoy the time off work.

But on the morning after the surgery, Anna was running a slight fever. The doctor seemed puzzled, but not alarmed. It happens sometimes, he said. Just plan to stay one more night, and well try to have you out of here by noon tomorrow.Anna was disappointed but figured one more night in the hospital wouldnt be the end of the world.

She was wrong.

Late that night, as she lay alone in her room, an artery ruptured in her throat and produced an outpouring of blood so excessive that it choked and drowned her in a matter of minutes. The remote-control device that she could have used to call for help was found dangling from her bed. No doubt shed been groping frantically for it during her last seconds of life.

When the nurse found her, Anna had been dead for some time. Her gown and bed linens were soaked in blood. Pools were congealing on the floor. Streaks and splatters were head-high on the walls and privacy curtain. The room looked like a scene from a bad horror film.

The doctor who performed the surgery was called and arrived in no time. I was sitting in the waiting room with Annas husband, Ron, when he came in to express his sympathy. It was an act of God, he explained. One of those freaky things that no one could have predicted.

But it wasnt that simple.

An autopsy revealed that an artery had been nicked during the tonsillectomy. The pathologist called it a ticking bomb just waiting to explode. And explode it did.

I sat with Ron while Annas body was removed, and then we walked out to our cars. Ill never forget the conversation we had there in the light of a street lamp at about 1:00 a.m.

Mark, why did God let this happen?

I dont know, Ron.

We prayed for her.

I know.

All of us. Me, you, and the boys. We stood in a circle and held hands and asked God to protect her.