I was having a “down” day.

We parked the truck in an empty area of the lot beside a convenience store. We went inside to stretch our legs and to use the restrooms.

My heavy heart felt as if it could drag the ground. I was sad, frustrated, and tired of what seemed like abuse from those that should have been paying us for loads as promised.

Before we left the convenience store, we had fun looking at trinkets. One particular shiny keychain with bright bold words caught my attention: Love God.

Being that I am a person that habitually studies the bible and I frequently prayed in the truck (the upper bunk was my prayer closet), I didn’t have a problem with loving God. That particular day, however, I had slid down to drowning in my own sorrows. But, as soon as I saw that keychain, I knew God was talking to me. I felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit, “Where is your faith?”

We returned to the truck and after we settled in, we noticed a dog tied to the back door of the convenience store. My husband got out of the truck and approached the dog with some of Diesel’s treats (Diesel rode with us “in style”). The dog shied away from my husband and avoided the treat.

Soon, a man walked out and led the dog by its leash towards the back of our truck.

My husband rolled his window down, “Sir, I gave your dog some treats. I hope you do not mind. Your dog seemed shy, so I did not push it on her.”

The man replied, “She is my best friend. You see, there are over 200 homeless people in this area. She learns who to trust, and who not to trust. I appreciate that you gave her treats.”

I looked up as the man introduced himself and pointed at the woods behind the parking lot, “My name is Dean. I live in a tent back there. It is good to meet you.” My husband asked him if he had any fear, and Dean explained how he is comfortable and happy, and typically he has no problems in life. I looked up at Dean and saw his hat, which was embroidered with the words Trust Jesus.

Trust Jesus. My heart, to this day, is grabbed by those words. The words talk to me, “Daughter, you can make the best of life no matter your circumstances. Look at who lives in a much tougher spot. Look at his joy. Trust in me.”

I began to cry. My heart was convicted.

As I looked down to hide my tears. I noticed something white between the seats. This something was not normal.

I didn’t want to interrupt the conversation between Dean and my husband, but as I sputtered in laughter, trying to put a sentence together, my broken words came out, “What is that white thing?”

Have you ever laughed so hard that you barely could breathe? I began rolling the truck window down so I could stick my head out the window for more air.

Dean thought my question was pointed at him, so he responded, “No, I don’t own anything white!”

Well, that did it. I was lost to the hilarious situation! I was practically snorting and definitely gasping for breath.

What in the world was that white stuff, though? It looked like cotton batting. No, it looked like a cloud. Oh, I see, it is coming from my husband’s carry-all bag that he keeps between the seats.

The white puffy cloud was shaving cream. A mountain of shaving cream! The button on the can had stuck open…and the timing was impeccable.

I rolled in laughter, and I still am!

Thank you, Father, for giving us this funny moment. Thank you for helping us to see the humor in life. Healing humor!

Thank you for placing Dean in our path that day. Thank you for your words, trust God, trust Jesus. The world cannot be trusted. So, we don’t love it and life’s circumstances. We love you!

Matthew 6:25-27 (NIV)

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,

what you will eat or drink; or about your body, 

what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body

more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow

or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father

feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

I would love to hear your lessons in life, especially involving people, words, or events that appeared and you knew it was God, and God alone. Miraculous he is!

Back story: We were practically homeless (which happened twice within a span of a couple of years, around 2012 and 2013). We camped out in our semi-truck cab as we traveled across the United States. Why? Just so you’ll know some of the situations that drivers encounter, the trucking companies that we worked for were not paying a fair wage. They weren’t paying on time. They frequently denied payment, and they were pushing us to drive days upon days pursuing illegal long hours. This experience may sound hard to deal with, and it was challenging for us more than once, but it also came with many blessings…blessings and stories that I love to share (in hopes of encouraging and uplifting others. God is always present even when we feel like he isn’t!)