Some detours aren’t accidents—they’re invitations.
For Lee and Beth Strawhun, full-time RV living was just a retirement dream that unexpectedly became a meaningful journey of learning to trust God, not only during the planned stops but also through the interruptions, breakdowns, and unforeseen turns.
In their devotional book Journey Trails, readers are invited to see how even the most frustrating delays can become sacred ground.
From Carefully Charted Routes to God’s Better Plan
The Strawhuns started their adventure like most travelers with high hopes and a mapped-out itinerary. But before they could even settle into their first few nights on the road, the realities of RV life hit hard: water issues, a faulty generator, no heat, and systems failing left and right.
What might have felt like a disaster to many became their first lesson in spiritual flexibility.
They leaned into Proverbs 16:9—“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” And that truth has followed them through every breakdown and recalculated route since.
When Delay Becomes Divine
One of the most powerful stories in Journey Trails comes from what they call “stall mode.” What was supposed to be a quick stop in Nevada turned into five extra weeks of delay due to mechanical issues and part delays. It wasn’t merely inconvenient; it disrupted their entire travel plan.
But God wasn’t late. He was right on time.
In that unexpected town, they found a welcoming church, made new friends, served in local ministries, and received radical hospitality from strangers who became like family.
Learning to See With Spiritual Eyes
Trusting God through unexpected detours means learning to see differently.
It’s not just about fixing a tire or waiting on a mechanic. It’s about recognizing how God moves in the stillness, the frustration, and the unfamiliar. In their travels, Lee and Beth share how God used missteps to introduce them to lifelong connections, deepen their marriage, and build their faith.
RV life teaches you that you’re not in control, but you are always in God’s hands.
Trust Isn’t a Feeling—It’s a Decision
When Beth found herself alone in a dead zone in the Mojave Desert, unable to reach her husband, fear hit hard. But in that moment, she made a choice: to trust God completely.
Journey Trails is full of moments like this—real, raw, and relatable. It’s polished faith replaced by practiced faith, and perfect plans surrendered for perfect trust.
Detours test us. But they also teach us. And every time Lee and Beth stepped into uncertainty, they found God already there.
The Beauty in Being Rerouted
So what happens when your carefully made plans fall apart?
