Lesson 107: Lee and the Road Crew

Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

I was on my way back from a dedication and for some unexplained reason I chose to return on a scenic back road in North Carolina. The mountains were spectacular but the road was narrow and perilous. I was still attired in my general’s clothing and was driving ole Traveller (my little red jeep with the front license plates reading “Robert E. Lee’ and the ANV flag as the background) and thinking of all the boys from North Carolina that offered their lives during that terrible period between 1861-1865. As I rounded a horseshoe curve, I noted a sign stating workers ahead. Approximately 500 yards further on there was a county road crew cleaning up a slide that blocked one lane. I was the fifth car in the procession and knew that it would be at least fifteen minutes before the road was cleared, so I got out of my horseless carriage and stretched. I noted the man holding the sign look in my direction and I think I recall him getting on the radio, but I dismissed it as part of his work. In about five minutes a truck approached from the other side and in it were three healthy North Carolinians. The driver exited his vehicle and walked towards me with the others following behind. I decided to get back in my car, as I assumed they were walking past me and I did not wish to be a hindrance in their official capacity. To my surprise, they stopped beside me and asked me if I was I portraying General Lee. I stated that I had that honor. The foreman stated that he was a SCV member and wanted to know if I was one. I assured him that I was and in fact was the Kentucky Division Chaplain. His whole body language softened, as he asked me if I would step out of the car and let him speak to me. He further stated that he had been praying for a brother to come to his aid.

I complied with his request and to my surprise he stated that one of his worker’s had a wife whoh was very sick, and would I mind praying for her? I was floored! Just two minutes ago I would never have guessed that this would be happening. But this was the purpose of the long and winding road! Of all the places that God led me, how could I have guessed that an opportunity to pray for someone would be afforded in such a manner or location. I readily agreed and as we walked towards the young man he fell to his knees with the most sincere moan. And beside the road, with traffic stopped on a little curvy road in North Carolina, we prayed. “Where two or more are gathered.” And to my amazement, the other man in the group joined in. And to further state that “If you pray they will come”, a couple got out of their car and joined this little band. There we were on our knees beside the highway praying for a family that we didn’t know nor will probably ever know. But God leads and we must follow.

Needless to say, I went away shouting in the gift of faith in God. God moves in mysterious ways and we never know when He will call upon us to give our testimony or offer up a petition for someone. Once again, General Lee was used to glorify God and assist a breaking heart find comfort. So many times we read of General Jackson and Lee stopping in the heat of battle to pray. My gratitude is to God and those people beside the road for teaching me the significance of praying for one another no matter the location or time. God is good all the time. All the time, God is good. Your humbled servant in Christ, The Old General