The path doesn't have to be straight

There is the fork in the road. Stop. Which way is going to get me to my destination? Left looks good, but so does right and straight ahead. Being directionally challenged usually takes me on the wrong road every time. It may not even be a new road, but if I allow my eyes to wander soon I am lost.

Several years ago I traveled to many states for a military organization, sharing their mission to honor our wounded heroes. I would do the driving and my sister would do the navigating. Only things was, she would fall asleep shortly after the vehicle began to move. Kind of like when we used to take our babies for a ride so the soothing roll of the wheels would lull them to sleep. It worked for her too! So instead of asking for her help, I plunged on into the wilderness. The positive was there was a lot of beautiful countryside that might never had been noticed had we taken the direct 20 minute route. But then there were also those times we were just plain lost. That's when my sister would awaken, shake out her map, crinkle a brow, then point. We always breathed a sigh of relief when finally arriving at our point of destination.

Such is the way of the Lord. Though the walk begins well, our eyes may wander off the road ahead. We begin to trust our own ways and become sure in their direction. We get lost along the way, taking a detour in life that may not have been meant for us. Scenic at first, these directions may soon become unpleasant. God tells us that if we trust in Him with all of our heart and do not lean on our own understanding, but acknowledge Him in all of our ways, then He will make our paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

How reassuring to know that if we choose to follow the Lord, He is always near to direct us when we come to that fork in life's road.

Janie is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached at thewritedifference@outlook.com.