Hammock Time: God’s GPS

God’s GPS doesn’t come with turn-by-turn directions. There’s no voice gently reminding me to “make a U-turn at the next opportunity” when I wander off the planned path. Instead, there’s Grace—quiet, steady, and always right on time—dropping people and moments into my life exactly when I need them.

Today was one of those days.

It started with Pastor Checkerz (yes, Checkerz—like the game, but with more Holy Spirit and a lot more heart). We met at a church in Louisiana where I had stopped in for a bathroom break and to splash some cold water on my face. His warmth and kindness wrapped around me like a Sunday morning hymn. After we spoke, I kept walking, grateful for the moment.

Not long after, I got a message. While I was still out on the road, Pastor Checkerz had connected with another local pastor—Pastor Easley—and let me know that he was organizing a place for me to stay that night.

It was one of those quiet moments where it was clear—God was working through Pastor Checkerz.

When I met Pastor Easley, I felt peace immediately. A sweet, kind, gentle soul. He shared the story of a dear friend he lost to suicide, and he prayed with me right there. No rush. No performance. Just a calm, genuine spirit that made me feel safe and seen. You could feel God’s grace in him.

He also told me to stop by Maria’s Mexican Restaurant—and when a Louisiana pastor sends you to eat somewhere, you go.

Maria’s was more than a meal—it was a reminder of how deeply goodness runs through people. Jessica and Michael, the owners, welcomed me like family and gifted me a meal that tasted like it had a story of its own. As I sat there, my waiter Sam quietly shared that he lost his brother to suicide five years ago.

It wasn’t a heavy moment. It was sacred. Two strangers sharing something deep.

Then Pastor Easley arrived—with a motel key in hand. A warm, safe place to sleep. Already taken care of. Already waiting.

This is how God moves. Not loudly, but lovingly. Through people. Through tenderness. Through the kind of compassion that needs no spotlight.

God’s GPS doesn’t give you the whole route—it gives you people, presence, and peace one moment at a time.

This journey isn’t just about walking across the country. It’s about following Grace, and watching how heaven shows up… in a pastor, a prayer, a plate of food, and a room key.

I am humbled. I am held. And I am truly, truly blessed.