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really trusted me.
    I thought of how much this story resembles our relationship with God. Our foundation in Him is built by walking in faith. Paul wrote, “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV ). But in order to do that we need to develop a relationship with God that is filled with trust and confidence. Years ago I studied John 10:27: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” I yearned to recognize God’s voice faster and more clearly. It seemed like the chattering distractions of this world boomed louder than His “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-12). Because I was hungry to learn, God gave me an opportunity that stretched my faith so much that I’ve never been the same.
    At the time I was working for some airlines in Kalispell, Montana. It had been another slushy, dark day in March. I left work exhausted from handling 149 irate passengers whose flight had been cancelled. I unlocked the back door of my home and heard the phone ringing. When I answered, my sister’s distressed voice recounted her troubles with her car, an older, red, Chevy Cavalier station wagon with dark-tinted windows and bumper stickers plastered all over the back end.
    Julie’s husband was in the army and stationed in South Korea for a year. The army had recently moved the family to a base in Olympia, Washington, and then sent him overseas. Julie hadn’t had time to develop good friends there yet. Her voice shook as she told me she’d taken the car to the same garage quite a few times and spent well over $1000. That day she’d dumped another $200 into getting it fixed. And now it was running even worse. Her wavering voice asked, “What should I do?”
    During my college years, I’d worked in a garage. I knew enough about cars and garages to know she was being fleeced. After giving her advice, I hung up. As I twisted my long, blond hair into a knot, God nudged my spirit. Why don’t you go help her? You have tomorrow off from work, and you can fly free with one of your airline passes.
    I glanced at the clock. The last flight for the day left in 20 minutes. I could make it if I left immediately. Fumbling for the phone, I dialed Julie. She didn’t answer. I left a message and raced to the airport.
    I didn’t realize it, but this situation was set up by God. Over the next 24 hours He taught me one of the most precious lessons I’ve ever learned—how to walk by faith and not by sight.
    Sleet pelted the airplane as it taxied into Sea-Tac (Seattle/Tacoma) airport. I called Julie again and still got no answer. From the airport I caught a shuttle to Olympia. During the hour-long commute I kept dialing and getting the answering machine. The driver kindly listened to my story, and he recommended an honest garage. At eleven that night, he dropped me off at a motel. All night I called, dozed, prayed, and called again. I prayed, “Lord, lead me to my sister. Keep her safe.” By morning I had bloodshot eyes and felt terrible with no makeup with me and only rumpled, day-old clothes to wear.
    God had dropped a blanket over my head.
    At the motel counter, I brushed my bangs from my eyes and asked which bus to take to get to my sister’s place.
    The clerk pointed out the door. “That one.”
    A city bus idled at the curb. Nodding, I rushed out the door. Instantly I felt God arresting my spirit. “No! Not that one.”
    I stopped. But that one goes to her apartment, Lord, I countered silently.
    â€œNot that one,” was what I heard again in my spirit.
    I glanced at my watch. Eight o’clock. Time was fleeting. I had to find Julie, get her car fixed, take the hour-long shuttle ride back to Sea-Tac Airport, and fly home that night because I had to be at work in the morning.
    Suddenly God’s voice boomed in my spirit. “Go to your room, and wait on Me.”
    I climbed the stairs to my room and flopped down on