Last Friday marked the third night in a row that I was driving past 10:00 at night.  By myself.  While I was grateful for the opportunity to travel around Nebraska for four days, I was definitely getting tired.  Cherry County might be Nebraska’s biggest, yet it is possibly the most sparsely populated.  Thirty miles between most towns with very little to light the sky.  Even the stars were out of sight due to my headlight beams.

Even checking in with my husband was challenging due to sketchy cell phone service.  At least I had a working radio.  Listening to a dj comment occasionally at least gave me a glimmer of hope that I was not as alone as I felt.  Flipping back and forth between the two radio stations I could manage to get to tune in, the songs were as unfamiliar as the darkened landscape.  Until God prompted one dj to play a song just for me.  Lady Antebellum’s “Compass” had been one that I liked singing along with, yet on this dark night, the words had a new depth of meaning.  I truly felt God singing them over my heart …

Yea it’s been a bumpy road
Roller coasters high and low
Fill the tank and drive the car
Pedal fast, pedal hard
You won’t have to go that far

You want to give up cause it’s dark
We’re really not that far apart

So let your heart sweetheart be your compass when you’re lost
And you should follow it wherever it may go
When it’s all said and done you can walk instead of run
‘Cause no matter what you’ll never be alone
Never be alone
Never be alone

Forgot directions on your way
Don’t close your eyes don’t be afraid
We might be crazy late at night
I can’t wait til you arrive
Follow stars you’ll be alright

You want to give up cause it’s dark
We’re really not that far apart

So let your heart sweetheart be your compass when you’re lost
And you should follow it wherever it may go
When it’s all said and done you can walk instead of run
‘Cause no matter what you’ll never be alone
Never be alone
Never be alone

Immanuel.  God is with us. Even in September.  Even on a desolate Nebraska road in the middle of nowhere.  Although your circumstances may different, perhaps you may be feeling as alone as I did last Friday night.  Please remember that God is only a breath away.  Even today, for you and for me, He is Immanuel.