Jesus, Take the Wheel

At a get-together recently, I met an older woman, Lillian.

Lillian and I had an immediate connection. In that she was too old to walk around and circulate, and I was too introverted to walk around and circulate. It worked out perfectly.

Lillian and I ended up talking for hours, as I waited for the event to be over because our connection was so strong.

She told me that when her boys were little, her husband had left her for his secretary, and left her with nothing. Lillian struggled raising the kids. But, she said, “Jesus was always there for us, and we always got by, thanks to Him.”

She added, “As a matter of fact, just this past month, I had bills to pay, and I didn’t have the money. And the money came to me, thanks to Jesus.”

What a comfort that must be. But I couldn’t help wondering, ’cause I’m a tad agnostic…Did Lillian pray to Jesus—but also mention to one of her kids that she didn’t have the money? But I dismissed the thought. Rather, I so wished I could have faith, like Lillian does.

“Yes, every single time in my life that I have ever needed any kind of support, including financial support, I asked Jesus to take the wheel,” Lillian said. “And He has helped me. Every. Single. Time.”

I leaned towards her and whispered, “Lillian, I wish I had known about this Take the Wheel strategy a long time ago. My parents didn’t raise me in a faith. I’ve spent 33-plus years sitting behind a desk, just to pay the bills, and even then, living check-to-check. If I had known Jesus was there for me, I would have pursued my writing career and simply asked Him for help along the way.”

Lillian laughed and said, “Yes, you should have.”

I wasn’t kidding.

And I don’t think she was, either.