Enjoy the Ride
by Mary Manners
My dad was a good man—eager to serve those in need and always
ready to offer advice or encouragement. He did not draw attention to himself,
and often helped others anonymously. But he had one quirk that drove me crazy when
I was merely a teenager with a driver’s license; whenever we traveled, he demanded
to be seated behind the wheel. Dad had to be in control, driving himself to all
destinations. He could not bring himself to trust others to get him there
safely.
As he aged, Dad was no longer able to drive and had to eventually relent to allow
others to chauffer him. He had to give up control. Amazingly enough, following a minor speed bump to this new way of life, he enjoyed
the freedom to take in the scenery and to share in conversation without
focusing his attention on potholes and detours along the road.
As I've aged I've come to a realization: aren’t we much like my dad when it comes to trusting God to get us
where we need to go? More often than not, we struggle with the need to keep our hands on the wheel…just in case. After
all, we know the way better we should go better than He does, right? Relinquishing control is one
of the hardest things—and one of the greatest roadblocks—for us.
Consider how often you try to take control of a situation
instead of surrendering to God completely and trusting Him to work in your
life. Then, let go of the wheel and let God take the driver’s seat. He knows the path
that is meant for you. Trust Him to take you there, and enjoy the scenery along
the way.
~~~~~
Crime-beat
reporter Cade Magnusen never imagined a tragic accident would leave
four-year-old niece Gracie in his care. Bitter over the loss of loved ones and
nursing his wounded heart, Cade can no longer stomach chasing the true crime
stories that elevated him to the top of the New York Times bestseller list. He
grabs the chance to relocate to the quiet community of Heart’s Haven to raise
precocious Gracie and reassemble his life.
Emmy
Lassiter loves ice cream and children. She spends her days managing Babycakes,
an ice cream and sweet shop whose vibrant atmosphere delights all who enter.
The only mystery in Emmy’s life—beside the uncertainty over her ability to have
children of her own—is what brought new Heart’s Haven neighbor Cade Magnusen
and curly-haired, blue-eyed cherub Gracie to Angel Falls.
When Cade
drops by Babycakes in search of a feature story for the Angel Falls Trumpet, he
and Emmy feel a quick and powerful connection. The two soon begin to realize
they must trust God if they are ever to move from the past into a sweet and
fulfilling future.
~~~~~
Mary Manners is an award-winning romance author who lives along the
beautiful shores of Jax Beach with her husband, Tim. She loves her toes in
the sand, running, flavored coffee and cotton candy sunsets followed by starlit
nights.
Mary believes everyone has a story to tell, and she enjoys sharing
hers. She writes inspirational romances of all lengths, from short stories to
novels—something for everyone.
Learn more about Mary Manners at her website: www.MaryMannersRomance.com.
