Oh how time flies! It seems like yesterday I was taking my daughter, Jasmine, to school when I was faced with what could have been a major catastrophe. At the time, I was 7 months pregnant with my youngest daughter Jada when all of a sudden the car made a horrific sound and started to shake. “Please, Lord, not right now,” I mumbled. It was too late, I just had a blow out. With a huge sigh, I looked for the nearest place to pull over. Oh how I was hoping that I could just make it to the school. But I couldn’t, the further I drove the worse the sound became. It was not good. Up ahead, I noticed a what appeared to to be a safe community. I pulled over and parked the car. I called my husband, who was at work by now, just to let him know what was going on. I then called a friend to take Jasmine to school. Lastly, I called AAA. “Thanks for calling ‘Triple A’ Mrs. Johnson, how can I help you?” The operator was very pleasant and accommodating. Actually, she was so good that I had forgotten that I was in a seemingly, uncomfortable position.
I don’t remember her name, but I remember what she said. She told me that she was going to ask a series of questions that would allow her to assess the situation so that she could determine the best way to service me. Sounds logical so I agreed to answer her questions. “Can you explain what happened?” “OMG! Do I have to tell her what just happened or the real truth?,” I said to myself as I reasoned like Jasmine. I was not liking this process already. It was in that moment that I realized the first step in getting out of this predicament and others like it. I had to admit that I had made some decisions before today that contributed to the current situation. My tires had been going bald for a while. I knew it and so did my husband, yet we kept driving the car (ok mostly me…I was the pregnant one. I drove good car). As days turned into weeks and weeks into months we each made the same half-hearted promise, “tomorrow I will take the car to the shop.” Next, the operator asked me my current location. I took this same route every day, yet I had never noticed this particular community. I guess I zoomed right past it without paying attention since it had nothing to do with my destination. So I had to take a few moments to figure out where I was as well as how to explain it to the operator in a manner that will allow her to best assist me. I looked around and spotted a few landmarks: a stop sign, a park, and another sign. The other sign, which seemed to be very important, was something I couldn’t quite see from inside the car. I got out and walked about 1/2 block before noticing the mysterious sign had written on it the name of the community. Yep, this was pretty important! With that last bit of information the operator was fully equipped to help me. She immediately mapped out for me the planned course of action. When I hung up the phone I felt good. I felt like my issue was resolved. Although my daughter and I were on the side of the road with a busted tire, I was resting in the fact that in “less than 35 minutes” there would be someone there to change my tire and get me back on course. As a matter of fact, the AAA system was so efficient that when the driver was 10 minutes away I received an automated message that alerted me of the driver’s exact location and ETA. It’s amazing how in a matter of moments what could have been a catastrophe turned out to be an opportunity for personal growth.
I learned a few things from this experience: #1 if you are going to be pregnant in the summertime while your husband works 45 miles away from home, you better get the tires changed. Secondly, I learned that everyone needs a AAA card. Lastly, I realized that by asking and answering three simple questions I was able to overcome my self induced obstacle. Do you find yourself facing obstacles throughout your journey? How do you respond? If you are willing to answer three simple, yet powerful questions you can alter the effects of life’s obstacles (even when they are self induced):
#1 Are you willing to admit that where you are today is a result of choices you made in the past?
#2 Will you make yourself aware of where you are today by taking a close look at your surroundings and identify things that can help you get closer to your desired destination?
#3 Will you develop an action plan that will serve as a guide to your destination?
It’s that simple. By becoming a A-A-A member you, too, can gain access to life-altering rewards. I’ve got my card, do you have yours?
Janice Roberson is President and CEO of Moruwa Consulting. You can find many more strategies like this including how to create a game winning plan in her new book entitled “Expanding Your Reach without Emptying Your Pockets: A Practical Guide to Ministry Marketing.”