From my friend Pat.....
Years ago a good friend and I hiked a portion of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania. After the first day, we made a wrong turn in the woods and found ourselves running out of trail, which clearly meant we’d gone astray. As we turned and retraced our steps, we found even more options: one bad decision had given us the opportunity to make more of them. The wrong trail had many side trails.
After several hours of bumbling around, cussing one another as friends do(guys get this), a complete stranger who looked the part of the consummate outdoor guy crossed our path. You know the guy: worn backpack, gnarly three week beard, wiry build, and all kinds of stuff hanging from his backpack. Most importantly, he had the look of knowing exactly where he was, and more importantly to us, where we were.
Now we were both tempted to act like we knew what we were doing but we only had food for a week and neither of us cared to start digging up roots to eat. After some casual conversation, we grudgingly admitted our confusion about where we were and how to get back on the trail. He pointed us the right way, took a minute to pull out a pad and paper(who knows what else he was carrying in that backpack) and drew a simple map. After appropriate thanks, we quickly moved on as we had demonstrated our ineptitude at hiking, and he clearly had it all together, and we really didn’t deserve his company.
Suffice to say we made it out of the woods and home safely. But it could have been otherwise had we not stumbled on him and gotten some corrective direction. I’ve often wondered since what he was doing out there, off the trail. We were clearly lost. He however knew right where he was. And we were either lucky or blessed, depending on your perspective.
It’s a true story, but it’s a metaphor for anyone’s religious journey. Think about it.
My comments.... I think that most of us have felt lost on the road of life. I hope that you have found someone to help you along the way. We all need help from time to time. Never be afraid to ask for pointers along the way.
Years ago a good friend and I hiked a portion of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania. After the first day, we made a wrong turn in the woods and found ourselves running out of trail, which clearly meant we’d gone astray. As we turned and retraced our steps, we found even more options: one bad decision had given us the opportunity to make more of them. The wrong trail had many side trails.
After several hours of bumbling around, cussing one another as friends do(guys get this), a complete stranger who looked the part of the consummate outdoor guy crossed our path. You know the guy: worn backpack, gnarly three week beard, wiry build, and all kinds of stuff hanging from his backpack. Most importantly, he had the look of knowing exactly where he was, and more importantly to us, where we were.
Now we were both tempted to act like we knew what we were doing but we only had food for a week and neither of us cared to start digging up roots to eat. After some casual conversation, we grudgingly admitted our confusion about where we were and how to get back on the trail. He pointed us the right way, took a minute to pull out a pad and paper(who knows what else he was carrying in that backpack) and drew a simple map. After appropriate thanks, we quickly moved on as we had demonstrated our ineptitude at hiking, and he clearly had it all together, and we really didn’t deserve his company.
Suffice to say we made it out of the woods and home safely. But it could have been otherwise had we not stumbled on him and gotten some corrective direction. I’ve often wondered since what he was doing out there, off the trail. We were clearly lost. He however knew right where he was. And we were either lucky or blessed, depending on your perspective.
It’s a true story, but it’s a metaphor for anyone’s religious journey. Think about it.
My comments.... I think that most of us have felt lost on the road of life. I hope that you have found someone to help you along the way. We all need help from time to time. Never be afraid to ask for pointers along the way.
It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com
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I am leading some trips this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....
Paris-Normandy River Cruise
October 23-31, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com
- - - - - - - - -
I am leading some trips this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....
Paris-Normandy River Cruise
October 23-31, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs
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